1 kinds · tap one for a closer look
Semi-aquatic; shows its belly when threatened.
This one is best kept on its own, or with its own kind.
Semi-aquatic; shows its belly when threatened. Keep in groups with a land area and no fish because they can be harassed.
Good to know: Needs a land area and cool, damp conditions; adults leave the water.
Crickets, small worms and bloodworms offered from tongs.
Tap a food to see what it is.
Males have longer upper arms and forelimbs (used for gripping in amplexus and fighting) and call; the call is quieter and higher than that of B. bombina.
Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
Egg-clumps · Hard
Breeds from spring to August in small, shallow, often temporary pools (wheel ruts, quarry pools), laying eggs in small portions.
Group of 3-5 with both sexes.
A paludarium with shallow warm pools and land area.
A cool winter rest followed by spring warming.
A clutch of about 40-100 eggs (sometimes 200 or more), laid in small portions.
Tadpoles eat algae and fish flakes; metamorphose in 2-3 months.
A small European toad with a grey-brown back and a bright yellow-and-black belly that it shows as a warning. It lives mainly in hills and mountains and breeds in short-lived pools. Declining and protected in many countries (EU Habitats Directive species), so only buy captive-bred animals.
Carl Linnaeus described the yellow-bellied toad in 1758. It lives in shallow, temporary waters in hilly parts of Europe. Its bright belly warns predators that its skin is toxic.
First described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
10 facts checked with sources
Amphibian (semi-aquatic toad). A species complex: B. v. pachypus (Apennine yellow-bellied toad) and B. v. scabra are treated as subspecies by most current authors but as species by some (ASW comment). Hybridises with B. bombina where ranges meet.
Amphibian Species of the World 6.2: Bombina variegataNew value.
Amphibian Species of the World 6.2: Bombina variegataBody (snout-vent) length 2.8-5.6 cm, figure from WAZA via Wikipedia. Legacy 5 cm is near the top of the range.
Wikipedia: Yellow-bellied toad (cites WAZA; Di Cerbo 2012; Anholt et al. 1997; Hantzschmann et al. 2019)Wild longevity varies by population from 5 to 23 years; legacy 10-15 sits inside that range. No captive figure found.
Hantzschmann et al. 2019, PeerJ 7: e8233, The fast-slow continuum of longevity among yellow-bellied toad populationsBreeding males hold territories and fight (Seidel 1999, via Wikipedia). Legacy 'peaceful' is not supported for males in the breeding season. Toxic skin: do not mix with fish or other amphibians.
Wikipedia: Yellow-bellied toad (cites WAZA; Di Cerbo 2012; Anholt et al. 1997; Hantzschmann et al. 2019)New value. ASW's country list includes Italy (Po basin and, under its broad concept, B. v. pachypus).
Amphibian Species of the World 6.2: Bombina variegataLegacy 'larger forearms; males call from the water' supported. Black nuptial pads were not found in the fetched B. variegata sources (they are documented for B. bombina). Wikipedia notes B. variegata lacks internal vocal sacs.
Wikipedia: Yellow-bellied toad (cites WAZA; Di Cerbo 2012; Anholt et al. 1997; Hantzschmann et al. 2019) · AmphibiaWeb: Bombina variegata (via fetch tool)Legacy 'small clumps in shallow water after a winter rest' agrees. Legacy tadpole period 2-3 months not checked.
AmphibiaWeb: Bombina variegata (via fetch tool)Legacy 50-120 slightly high on the low end. No hatching time found.
AmphibiaWeb: Bombina variegata (via fetch tool) · Wikipedia: Yellow-bellied toad (cites WAZA; Di Cerbo 2012; Anholt et al. 1997; Hantzschmann et al. 2019)Legacy 'likes cool water' is too simple: it lives at altitude but lays eggs in warm, sun-exposed pools (Wikipedia, citing Dittrich et al. 2016). IUCN Least Concern overall (2009). Not covered by the US Bsal salamander rule (that rule lists salamanders only).
Wikipedia: Yellow-bellied toad (cites WAZA; Di Cerbo 2012; Anholt et al. 1997; Hantzschmann et al. 2019) · AmphibiaWeb: Bombina variegata (via fetch tool)