common fire-bellied toad
Quick Summary
The fire-bellied toad (Bombina) is a small amphibian known for the striking orange or red markings on its underside, which contrast with its grayish body and limbs. The common fire-bellied toad (B. bombina), found in central and eastern Europe, is a pond dweller approximately 5 cm (2 inches) long.12
When threatened, these toads exhibit the "unken reflex," raising their forearms and arching their backs to display their brightly colored undersides. This is believed to serve as a warning signal to predators, indicating that the toad's skin is poisonous.1
The genus Bombina comprises four other species, with three found in Asia and one in Europe. All species breed in water, and their tadpoles typically metamorphose in under 45 days.1
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