Amphibians

Yellow-bellied Toad

Bombina variegata · Izvoraș cu burta galbenă

A small toad with a plain brown back and a bright yellow-and-black belly, living in puddles and ruts in hilly woodland.

At a glance

Small and flattened with warty grey-brown back, heart-shaped pupils and a bright yellow belly with dark blotches.

Small shallow pools, puddles and wheel ruts in hilly and mountain forests.

Central and southern Europe, including Romanian hills and mountains.

Carpathian mountains and foothillsGeneral distribution only. This is not an occurrence map and does not show nesting or sensitive wildlife locations.

Daytime

Small invertebrates.

When threatened it arches its body to show the warning colours of its belly.

Puddles and ruts on forest tracks in late spring and summer.

General guidance based on the species’ behaviour, not a report of Nick’s personal field experience.

Difficulty: Easy to observe
Ethics: Do not turn toads over to show the belly; photograph without handling.

Practical starting points, not fixed rules.