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Fire-bellied toad

The Bombina toad dazzles with its fiery belly, a vivid warning to predators. This wetland dweller employs the 'unken reflex,' flipping to showcase its vibrant underside. Thriving in Europe's moist environments, Bombina plays a vital role in controlling insect populations, ensuring a balanced ecosystem.

10-15 years
Lifespan
20.0 - 80.0 g
Weight
Length: 4 - 7 cm
Size
Brown, Grey, Yellow, Red, Black, Green, Orange
Color
5 mph
Top Speed
Characteristics
Bombina, commonly known as the fire-bellied toads, are small amphibians recognized for their vivid aposematic coloration. They inhabit wetlands and slow-moving streams across Europe and Asia. Known for their unique defensive posture called the 'unken reflex,' they reveal their bright underbelly to deter predators.
Distribution Range of the Fire-bellied toad
Bombina, commonly known as fire-bellied toads, are native to parts of Europe and Asia. The most recognized species within this genus include the European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) and the Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis). Their geographical distribution spans across Central and Eastern Europe, extending into parts of Russia, and in Asia, particularly in China and the Korean Peninsula.
Fire-bellied toad's Habitat
Environmental Conditions
Fire-bellied toads typically inhabit lowland areas with abundant water sources. They prefer environments such as marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams, where they can easily access both aquatic and terrestrial resources. The climate in these regions ranges from temperate to subtropical, providing the moisture and temperatures conducive to their lifestyle.
Ecological Niche
These amphibians are primarily aquatic, spending much of their time in and around water bodies. They have adapted to life in water with their webbed feet and smooth skin, which aids in swimming and respiration through their skin. Their ecological niche involves controlling insect populations, as they feed on various invertebrates. Their bright belly coloration serves as an aposematic signal to predators, warning of their toxicity.