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Dieren en planten

Animals   Amphibians and reptiles   Moor frog   European common frog   British toad   Reptiles   Viper   
  • Dut: Rugstreeppad
  • Lat: Bufo calamita
  • Eng: British toad, natterjack toad
  • Fr: Crapaud calamite
  • Ger: Kreuzkröte
  • Dan: Strandtudse
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British toad (natterjack toad), Foto Fitis, www.fotofitis.nl

British toad

British toads are found just about all over the Netherlands, on warm, open, sandy terrain, as long as there is a water source in the area for reproduction. British toads will also lay their eggs in brackish water. This makes the dune regions along the coast and the islands a very suitable environment for this species. They are fast jumpers, good climbers and feed on insects. The melodious call of this toad can be heard on warm spring evenings.

On Texel


String of eggs from the British toad,, Foto Fitis, www.fotofitis.nl

There has been a large population of British toads on Texel from way back. Since the late 1970s, common toads have been released. It is not yet clear of the more rare British toad will be threatened by the common toad.

  • Threats

    During the hottest part of the day, the toad protects itself from dessication by digging 10 centimeters into the dune sand. The British toad is 'maybe not threatened' however according to the endangered list of amphibians and reptiles, it is approaching the status of 'vulnerable'. The causes are due to the open drifting dune landscapes becoming more scarce and the dehydration of the dunes. The species is often found temporarily on piles of sand and rubble on construction sites.