Taxonomy
Epidalea calamita | Natterjack Toad
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| Range | Bad |
| Population | Bad |
| Habitat | Inadequate |
| Future Prospects | Inadequate |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Bad |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | Improving |
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland (1) | Endangered [B2a,b(iii)] |
| Europe (2) | Least concern |
| Global (2) | Least concern |
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
Native status
Native.
Species Biology
Identification
- One of only three native Irish amphibians and the only toad.
- Adult male length to about 70mm, females slightly more.
- Warty dorsally due to skin-surface glands.
- Adult ground colour varies from pale green to black with darker brown or red-brown markings dorsally, and always with a sulphur yellow central dorsal stripe.
- Paler below, particularly towards the front.
- Iris is yellow with black veination.
- Crawls or runs rather than hops.
- Black eggs laid in a single row string amongst aquatic vegetation.
- Amphibious.
- Generally nocturnal.
- Adults hibernate in Winter.
- May burrow in sandy soil, or shelter under vegetation debris diurnally and seasonally.
Sources: King, J.L. et al 2011; T. J.C. Beebee 2002; Gent T. and Gibson S., (eds.), 2003.
Preferred environment
.
Habitat
Open habitats with shallow ponds. In Ireland native populations are very much coastal and associated with sand dune systems. Shallow ponds that dry out in summer are valuable but shallow permanent ponds or lake edges are also used. Other reported habitats include lowland heath, lowland bog , wet grassland, amenity grassland and dis-used quarries.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Sand dune systems (CD)
- Wet grassland (GS4)
- Amenity grassland (improved) (GA2)
- Dry calcareous heath (HH2)
- Lowland blanket bog (PB3)
- Mesotropic lakes (FL4)
- Other artificial lakes and ponds (FL8)
Sources: King, J.L. et al, 2011; Beebee T.J.C., 2002; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Life stages
Reproduction
- Mating occurs April – May.
- Males call loudly to attract females.
- Females lay a single strand string of up to 7000 eggs which are fertilised externally by the male.
- Hatching occurs usually within 10 days.
- Metamorphosis from tadpole to toadlet takes about 6-8 weeks.
- Sexual maturity is usually after the second year.
- Life span is on average 7-8 years although females can live to 13 years.
Sources: Beebee, T.J.C., 2002; Gent T. and Gibson S., (eds.), 2003.
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 CODE | RANKING |
| Abandonment of pastoral systems, lack of grazing | A04.03 | High |
| Water abstractions from groundwater | J02.07 | High |
| Infilling of ditches, dykes, ponds, pools, marshes or pits | J02.01.03 | Medium |
| Species composition change (succession) | K02.01 | Medium |
| Invasive non-native species | I01 | Medium |
| Saltwater intrusion | J02.09.01 | Low |
Habitat loss is considered one of the main threats for the Natterjack toad. The lowering of water tables in some areas has had a negative impact on breeding due to water availability. The lack of grazing has a negative influence on the ease of accessibility in relation to foraging. Desiccation and the expansion of recreational “caravan parks” in some areas will cause further habitat loss. The spread of the invasive species New Zealand Pigmyweed (Crassula helmsii) may become a serious problem for the Natterjacktoad in the future.
Source: NPWS 2013.
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012
no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented
during the period were listed for this species, however in the accompanying notes it is stated that;
- 'Continued intervention, including the creation of more ponds and, potentially, targeted spawn translocations, will be required'.
Source: NPWS 2013.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
A native European species with native records from the following countries: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Repubic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain,Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine.
Source: Beja P. et al, 2009.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
The distribution map
shows restricted and confined range of the species. Found only in the South
West in Kerry and a translocated population in Wexford.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Natterjack Toad in Ireland. Should you observe the Natterjack Toad, please submit sighting to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a better insight into where Natterjack Toad is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie