European green toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids European green toad |
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The European green toad (scientific name: Bufotes viridis) is a type of true toad. You can find these cool toads in many different places across Europe. They live in grassy plains, mountains, dry areas, and even cities! Their home stretches from France and Denmark all the way to Russia and the Caucasus mountains.
Scientists used to think this toad lived even further, across Asia and North Africa. But after studying their DNA and how they look, scientists now believe that many of those groups are actually different species of green toads. The European green toad and these other related species are now all part of a special group called Bufotes.
What Does It Look Like?
The European green toad has cool spots on its back. These spots can be green, dark brown, and sometimes even red! Its belly is usually white or very light in color.
Did you know these toads can change their color? They do this to match their surroundings or in response to changes in heat and light. This helps them stay hidden from predators.
Female European green toads are bigger than the males. A female can lay a huge number of eggs at once, sometimes between 9,000 and 15,000!
This toad can grow up to about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long from its head to its body. However, it's pretty rare to see one quite that big.
What Do They Eat?
The European green toad enjoys a varied diet. They mostly eat different kinds of insects and other small creatures without backbones, called invertebrates.
Their favorite meals include crickets, meal worms, small butterflies, earthworms, moths, beetles, ants, and spiders. They also like to munch on caterpillars. There was even one time when a toad was reported to attack a bat!
