Natterjack toad

Natterjack toad
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Epidalea
Cope, 1864
Species:
E. calamita
Binomial name
Epidalea calamita
(Laurenti, 1768)
Synonyms
  • Bufo calamita Laurenti, 1768

The natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is a toad native to sandy and heathland areas of Europe and the United Kingdom. Adults are 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in) in length, and are distinguished from common toads by a yellow line down the middle of the back and parallel paratoid glands. They have relatively short legs, which gives them a distinctive gait, contrasting with the hopping movement of many other toad species.

Natterjacks have a very loud and distinctive mating call amplified by the single vocal sac found under the chin of the male.