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Thread: What species is this?

  1. #1
    toadysfriends
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    Default What species is this?

    Hi everyone,

    I found this very fat and charming toad in my garden in the UK. It doesnt look like the native species that I've seen online, do you know what species it is? It is around 8cm long, 6cm wide.
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    Next question: When I was digging up the garden, I put him in the neighbour's garden (which is overgrown and seems much safer/more shady for a toad), he's now back - is it possible that he jumped the 1m wall????

    What does he eat - snails? Is he in danger of being eaten by cats/foxes, and how can we protect him?

    Thanks so much!

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  3. #2
    100+ Post Member Niels D's Avatar
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    Default Re: What species is this?

    I'm not completely sure, but I'd say it's a Bufo bufo and a fat one indeed. Comes in many colour variaties. I don't thing he jumped the wall, but he found a way to get underneath it. He will find his own way and pic his own favourite spots. Just let him be and he will be just fine.
    P.hosii/G.riobambae/S.couchii/C.cranwelli/B.orientalis/R.humboldti/M.klappenbachi


  4. #3
    Moderator tgampper's Avatar
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    Default Re: What species is this?

    It is most likely the common toad (Bufo bufo). There are only a couple of toad species native to Great Britain, the other species is a Natterjack toad (Epidalea (formerly Bufo) calamita. The Natterjack has a distinct stripe running down the center of it's back.
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  5. #4
    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: What species is this?

    100% it's Bufo bufo, the Common Toad. I don't just think it's fat - I think it has some kind of metabolic problem or an organ issue. Hopefully I'm wrong about that. They are quite capable of climbing but if the wall is sheer then it likely found a way around or under it as the others described.

    It should be pretty safe from cats and foxes. It produces distasteful fluid if anything tries to bite it. Things like hedgehogs are more of a danger because they will avoid the skin and just eat the insides. Still, that toad didn't get so big without some good survival skills. I wouldn't worry about it.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  6. #5
    toadysfriends
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    Default Re: What species is this?

    thank you for the super quick responses! a Bufo Bufo, who would have thought (well obviously not me but I have no idea about toads!). Glad you found him easy to identify. I hope his belly is ok, but like you said, he must know how to look after himself if he's got to that size.

    thank you!

  7. #6
    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: What species is this?

    The only other Bufo species in UK is as was said, Bufo calamita and they have a very restricted distribution. On top of that, they look nothing like a Common Toad. So if you find a toad in Britain it's hard to mix them up. I used to chase these guys every spring in Bristol when I was at University there.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

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