16 Facts About Common toad

Common toad, European toad, or in Anglophone parts of Europe, simply the toad, is a frog found throughout most of Europe, in the western part of North Asia, and in a small portion of Northwest Africa.

The Common toad is an inconspicuous animal as it usually lies hidden during the day.

Common toad seems to be in decline in part of its range, but overall is listed as being of "least concern" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common toad was first given the name Rana bufo by the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758.

The Caucasian toad is found in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus and was at one time classified as B b verrucosissima.

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Aquatic invertebrates that feed on Common toad tadpoles include dragonfly larvae, diving beetles and water boatmen.

In 2007, researchers using a remotely operated underwater vehicle to survey Loch Ness, Scotland, observed a common toad moving along the bottom of the lake at a depth of 324 feet .

Annual life cycle of the common toad is divided into three periods: the winter sleep, the time of mating and feeding period.

Common toad emerges from hibernation in spring and there is a mass migration towards the breeding sites.

Common toad reaches maturity at three to seven years old but there is great variability between populations.

The common toad cannot be legally sold or traded in the United Kingdom but there is a slow decline in toad numbers and it has therefore been declared a Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.

In other places, local wildlife groups run "Common toad patrols", carrying the amphibians across roads at busy crossing points in buckets.

The skin of the cane Common toad contains enough toxin to cause serious symptoms or even death in animals, including humans.

The Common toad was thrown into the fire but escaped with severe burns.

Saliva of the Common toad was considered poisonous and was known as "sweltered venom" and it was believed that it could spit or vomit poisonous fire.

George Orwell in his essay Some Thoughts on the Common Toad described the emergence of the common toad from hibernation as one of the most moving signs of spring.