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Yellow-bellied Toad
Bombina variegata
The European Yellow-bellied Toad is a semi-aquatic amphibian with a muddy back and a striking sulfur-yellow belly. It features unique heart-shaped pupils and displays the famous Unkenreflex defense.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Bombinatoridae
Genus:Bombina
Species:Bombina variegata
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Water Temperature
15 - 24 °C
pH Value
6.5 - 7.5
Environment
Freshwater / Semi-aquatic
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
20 - 25 °C
Night temperature
15 - 20 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Semi-aquatic species endemic to the hilly, mountainous, and humid deciduous forests of central and southern Europe. It inhabits temporary muddy pools, slow streams, and small ponds.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Bombinatoridae. Commonly known as the Yellow-bellied Toad. A strictly protected species in Europe. Considered a morphologically primitive anuran.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal and nocturnal. Mostly aquatic, they spend much of their time floating at the surface of pools. When threatened, they exhibit the "Unkenreflex," arching their back and limbs to display their bright yellow warning belly. Males produce a soft, musical call.
Morphology: Small, flattened, warty body reaching 4-5 cm in length. The dorsal area is a camouflaged muddy brown or dark olive-grey with sharp, cornified warts. The belly is a contrasting pattern of bright yellow or orange with dark grey or black marbling. Pupils are heart-shaped. Females are larger.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a paludarium or horizontal aqua-terrarium (minimum 60x45x30 cm). Provide 70% water area (10-15 cm deep) and 30% terrestrial area with moist soil or sphagnum moss. Include cork bark and flat stones.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers cool, temperate conditions. Keep temperatures between 18-22°C during the day, dropping to 14-16°C at night. In winter, they require a cold brumation period at 4-8°C. Provide 5% UVB lighting.
Humidity and Hydration: Semi-aquatic species requiring high humidity (80-90%). Good ventilation is vital to prevent bacterial skin infections. Use dechlorinated water; perform regular partial water changes.
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious insectivore. Feeds on small crickets, earthworms, and insect larvae. Dust prey with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements twice a week.
Compatibility: Very peaceful and highly compatible within their own species. Can be kept in small groups. Do not house with much smaller amphibians, as they may be eaten.
Health and Common Diseases: Possesses skin glands that secrete bufotoxins when stressed, which can be highly irritating to eyes and mucus membranes; wash hands thoroughly. Keep water clean to prevent Red Leg disease.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Semi-aquatic species endemic to the hilly, mountainous, and humid deciduous forests of central and southern Europe. It inhabits temporary muddy pools, slow streams, and small ponds.
Origin
Europe, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 5 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
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Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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