91Èȱ¬

In order to see this content you need to have both enabled and installed. Visit for full instructions

Natterjack toad

Last updated: 15 March 2011

Natterjack toads are thought to be Europe's noisiest amphibian - the call of the male can be heard from several miles away.

They differ from common toads by having fairly flattened bodies with short limbs, and feet that are not completely webbed.

Natterjacks are predominately nocturnal and often rest under large stones, or in crevices and burrows during the day.

They are also poor swimmers and are known to drown quickly in deep water if they cannot get ashore. Natterjacks emerge from hibernation in March and head off for their breeding sites.

Natterjack toads have the ability to darken or lighten the colour of their skin, in order to camouflage themselves in their environment.

Sand-loving natterjack toads were found along the sand dunes of the north Wales coast as far as Anglesey, but today they are limited to one small site at Talacre near the Dee Estuary.

Natterjacks became extinct in Wales during the 1960s, because of the development of caravan parks, but the species was reintroduced to the dunes in 2003.


Bookmark this page:

Try one of the walks from Derek's latest walking series on 91Èȱ¬ One Wales.

Wildlife

Toads by Brian Stone

In your garden

Find out about the wildlife you can find on your doorstep.

A fin whale

Wildlife photos

A gallery featuring rare and unusual wildlife sightings in Wales.

Wildlife map of Wales

91Èȱ¬ Wales Nature map

Explore Wales

Zoom in and discover wildlife in your area with our interactive map.

91Èȱ¬ iD

91Èȱ¬ navigation

91Èȱ¬ © 2014 The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.