Common toad

Common toad is a sturdy amphibian whose skin is covered by small lumps. The colour of its back side is brown and its underside is light. Common toads are on the move at dusk and dark. They move by walking since their hind legs are short. They spend winters hibernating.

Common toad lives in various habitats like forests, meadows and gardens. It likes to stick to the area where it lives. Common toad is one of the most common amphibians in Europe. Its area of distribution covers the whole continent except for Ireland and northern Scandinavia.

Common toad is a protected species in Finland. To protect itself from predators its skin secretes poison. The tadpoles of common toad feed on algae and plant parts whereas the adults prefer e.g. worms, larvae and ants.

In addition of being a protected species common toad requires no other conservation measures to secure its occurrence.