Common toads at Felbrigg Lake by Stephen Green 1/10
Common toads on Wrentham Heath by Bob Carpenter 2/10
Common Toad at NWT Holme by Elizabeth Dack 3/10
Common toad sitting on a garden wall by David North 4/10
Common toad on rock by Elizabeth Dack 5/10
Common toad on path in Thetford Forest by Yvonne Jones 6/10
Common toad on blanket weed by Greg Bond 7/10
Common toad by Elizabeth Dack 8/10
Common toad by Wendy Prescott 9/10
Common toad by Bob Carpenter 10/10

Common toad Bufo bufo

The common toad can be identified by its preference for walking rather than hopping, along with its warty skin, which secretes toxins.

Conservation status

Not threatened. Toads are a good indicator of health of a waterbody as they need clean fresh water to breed. Several factors have caused a decline in toad populations. Habitat loss, in particular the drainage of wetlands, has had a major effect as toads cannot breed without water. Changes in farming practice have also had an impact. Increased use of pesticides and fertilisers and the regular ploughing of fields create a habitat which is not suitable for foraging adult toads or ones that are hibernating. Toad migration routes to ancestral breeding ponds are increasingly becoming dissected by roads resulting in road casualties. A common toad can live to be 40 years old, but faced with so many dangers in the modern world, most will be lucky to reach 10 years.

Related questions & advice

Can amphibians and fish live together?
Why are the tadpoles in my pond not developing?
How do you tell a natterjack toad from a common toad?
What should I do if I have too much frogspawn in my pond?
How can I encourage wildlife into my pond?
How can I tell the difference between frogspawn and toad spawn?
Why is my frogspawn not developing properly?
Why are tadpoles in my pond in autumn and winter?
What is the difference between a common frog and a common toad?
Are toads likely to breed in my pond?
Toads on the road

Details

Did you know?

Toads are useful to have in the garden as they feed on slugs.

Toads have featured in many children’s stories including Kenneth Graham’s classic tale The Wind in the Willows.

How to recognise
Where to see
When to see
How to help
Share this