European green toad (bufotes viridis) is a true toad species of the family Bufonidae. All true toads have a warty appearance and are toothless.
The European green toad and this species is now of genus Bufotes but they were formerly placed in Bufo. Bufonidae is the only family of the order Anura that contains the species known as toads. This family now has more than 35 genera.
The origin of this family is from South America. Some studies show that this group of toads originated about 78-98 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous.
However, many other studies show that this group originated in the early Paleocene. This group eventually radiated out during Eocene to the Oligocene. The common life history of this species is that they spend most of their time underground.
The European green toad has green to pale brown spots with a white underbelly. Not all species of Bufotes have these distinct green spots.
If these facts about the European green toad were interesting, do read some Chinese giant salamander facts and tiger salamander facts.
European Green Toad Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a European green toad?
European green toad (bufo viridis) is a true toad of the genus Bufotes and order Anura. Green toads are often active at dusk but they forage in the day after heavy rainfall. They flatten their body when threatened.
European green toads are commonly available toads. This species of green toad can change color in response to heat and light changes. Throughout history, the common trait is that they spend most of their life underground.
What class of animal does a European green toad belong to?
The European green toad (bufo viridis) is of the class Amphibia (Amphibian) of animals.
How many European green toads are there in the world?
The exact number of the Bufotes viridis (Bufo viridis) population is not available.
Where does a European green toad live?
Bufotes viridis (Bufo viridis) is from mainland Europe. This green toad can be found through a range from eastern France and Denmark to western Russia and the Balkans.
They were previously defined as the occupants from the Middle East and Central Asia and western China, northwestern India, and Mongolia, and in the south across Mediterranean islands and Italy to North Africa.
What is a European green toad's habitat?
The European green toad habitat range consists of steppes, mountainous areas, semi-deserts, urban areas, and other habitats. They spend most of their time underground. Other habitats of green toads are plains, grasslands, temporary ponds, and pools.
Who do European green toads live with?
Bufotes viridis (Bufo viridis) usually live alone. They gather in huge crowds during the breeding season.
How long does a European green toad live?
The European green toad lifespan is 7-10 years.
How do they reproduce?
This species moves to a water body during the breeding season. This species usually breeds in April or later. Unlike other toads and frogs, this species can breed in brackish and freshwater. Females lay their eggs in the shallow pool of the water body. Females lay 9,000-15,000 eggs at a time.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of these toad species is Least Concern. The pet traders capture the European green toad for sale.
European Green Toad Fun Facts
What do European green toads look like?
Bufotes viridis (Bufo viridis) have varying color spots on their body. The spots are usually dark brown or green and sometimes red. They have a light-colored or white underbelly. In response to heat and light changes, they change color.
Males have nuptial pads on their first finger which is absent in females. Males are smaller in body size. During the breeding season, the dorsal background is more greenish in males and greyish in females.
How cute are they?
This species is slimy and creepy-looking. So they are not considered cute.
How do they communicate?
They communicate by croaking. The croaking of this species is similar to that of a cricket.
How big is a European green toad?
The European green toad is 3.9 in (10 cm) long. Females are larger than males.
How fast can a European green toad move?
The data on the speed of this toad species is not available. These toads are good jumpers.
How much does a European green toad weigh?
The data on the exact weight of the European green toad is not available. The average weight of the green toad is around 0.04-0.17 lb (18-77 g).
What are their male and female names of the species?
There is no specific name given to male and female European green toad.
What would you call a baby European green toad?
There is no specific name given to the baby European green toad.
What do they eat?
These toads eat various insects and invertebrates like earthworms, mealworms, small butterflies, crickets, caterpillars, and beetles.
Are they poisonous?
Yes. They produce poisonous bufotoxin.
Would they make a good pet?
Yes, to take care of a European green toad is easy. They do well in a home terrarium
Did you know...
These toads produce mucus through tiny bumps on their skin.
The European green toad and some other toads shed skin many times during the summer months. They go on to eat this.
The toad's skin does not dry out as fast as the frog's so, they live further away from water bodies.
This species is smart. If you try to move towards them or touch their tank they jump and search for shelter.
Both frogs and toads are in the order Anura, making this the largest order with more than 3,000 species.
Both frogs and toads have flattened skulls.
A group of toads is called a knot.
Toads do not have webbed feet.
Spadefoot toads have claw-like growths on the hind feet which they use for digging burrows. These toads move backwards while digging and then disappear when the hole is deeper.
Different types of toad
Different types of toads include the common toad, cane toad, natterjack toad, yellow-bellied toad, American toad, golden toad, and more.
Western toads sound like a peeping chick.
Traditional oriental medicine makes use of the toad venom produced by Asiatic toads. This venom is extracted and touted for medicinal properties.
The common midwife toad is named so because the males carry the eggs weaved on their thighs until they hatch.
The Colorado River toad's call is weak and low-pitched which sounds like a toot lasting for a few seconds. These toads are capable of breeding in artificial waters
The yellow-bellied toad has many yellow-orange spots on their underbellies for which they are named.
Arroyo toads, Amargosa toads, and bleeding toads are a threatened species.
Grayish-brown common toads hunt in the night. These toads have clumsy short jumps.
The world's largest toad is the cane toad which is also a prolific breeder.
Is the European green toad poisonous?
Yes, the European green toad is poisonous. They produce bufotoxin. But handling this species does not cause warts. There is a chance of secretion of the poison while handling them so, it is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other amphibians including these olm facts, and bullfrog facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our european green toad coloring pages.
