European Fire-bellied Toad

European Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina is a fire-bellied toad native to mainland Europe.
These toads are slightly toxic sometimes to humans. When they shed their skin, they bloat themselves and make a coughing sound, then start to tear the old skin off with their mouth, and eat it for nutrition, to reveal newer, brighter skin.
Fire-Bellied toads have a bright lime green dorsal traversed by black spots, and orange to bright red bellies with black bars and stripes. The skin is mildly bumpy, the eyes set high to suit a semi-aquatic life style, and also well webbed back feet. Color and body variations will be described for each of the other 3 species commonly sold as or mistaken for Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads. They are the largest of the bombina family.
Category:Frogs and Toads
Category:Europe
Category:Amphibians