Common Toad
Bufo bufo
Length 8-12cm

Easily told from common frog by warty, olive-brown skin and inclination to walk rather than hop. Visits ponds and lakes to breed in spring but at other times often found well away from water, sometimes in surprisingly dry areas. Common and widespread throughout mainland Britain but absent from Ireland. Often spawns in same ponds as common frog but usually active a few weeks after that species. Produces long strings of double-stranded spawn. On land, feeds on wide range of invertebrates including insects and slugs. Hibernates under logs and stones.