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Yellow-bellied toad

Bombina variegata

Description:

Small toad, not exceeding 4 cm in length of the body, with round snout and compact, somewhat flattened body. Together with their small size, their color provide them with an excellent camouflage - their upperside is grey-dark green with some warts. Difficult to notice is their underside - more than half of it, including the inner sides of the limbs, fingers, and toes, is covered by striking, bright yellow to orange spots or patches (visible on photos n° 2 and 4). Another characteristics - its pupils are heart-shaped.

Habitat:

A European species preferring the hilly environment, usually found between 300 and 800 of altitude - but also above that. Its development is closely linked to water, and namely smaller bodies of water, such as temporary ponds and even puddles - here observed in marshes of Prodon, a part of the complex of marshes, marshy areas and broad leaved forests on Franco-Swiss border. Found in a large puddle on a tractor trail.

Notes:

My third visit to this marshy area was a lucky one... the presence of Yellow-bellied Toad is registered in these marshy areas, and I was already trying to see it before. This season, after the two 'unlucky' visits, I just decided jump there today after rains and got lucky... These guys are really shy. On another matter, the marshes of Prodon are somewhat protected by a local fishing association, and are really beautiful - or could be! Unfortunately, the pond and its surroundings are really dirty and there is plenty of garbage left over from fishing and other parties - every time I go there, I get out with a bag full of plastic, bottles, cans and other stuff... Some cleaning is going on there from time to time, this is obvious, but I can't help but think that the majority of people are just jerks!

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Zlatan Celebic
Spotted by
Zlatan Celebic

Grande-Rivière-Château, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Tromelin Island

Spotted on Aug 9, 2018
Submitted on Aug 9, 2018

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