Natterjack Toad

The Natterjack Toad

The Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is one of Britain’s rarest amphibians and a distinctive member of the toad family.

Smaller and more lightly built than the common toad, it is best known for the bright yellow stripe running down the centre of its back and also for its rasping, far-carrying call of the males during the breeding season.

In the UK, the species has a restricted distribution and is the focus of significant conservation efforts.

Identification and Physical Characteristics

Adult natterjack toads typically measure 6–7 centimetres in length, making them noticeably smaller than the common toad.

Their skin is warty and olive or greyish-green, often patterned with darker blotches. But the most reliable field mark is the narrow yellow line that runs along the spine (although this stripe can sometimes be faint).

Another distinctive feature the natterjack has is its relatively short hind legs. As a result, it does not hop in long leaps but instead moves in quick, purposeful runs.

This running behaviour, combined with its preference for open habitats, makes it easier to distinguish from other British amphibians.

Is the Natterjack poisonous?

The Natterjack toad is not “poisonous” in the sense of being dangerous to touch or deadly to humans, but it does produce toxic skin secretions as a defence.

To humans: No serious danger. You won’t be poisoned just by being near or briefly touching one.

To predators (or pets): Yes—its skin glands release bufotoxins, which can taste foul and cause irritation.

What the toxin does

Like many toads, it has parotoid glands behind the eyes that secrete a milky substance when it feels threatened.

This can:

• Irritate eyes, mouth, or skin if handled and then touched to sensitive areas

• Cause drooling, sickness, or discomfort in dogs that try to bite or eat it

It’s mainly a deterrent system, not a weapon.

Important context

You would need ingestion or mucous membrane contact for any noticeable effect.

Simply seeing or briefly handling a toad is generally not harmful (though it’s best not to handle wildlife unnecessarily).

The toxins are much weaker than those of some tropical amphibians.

The main risk is actually pets, especially dogs that pick them up out of curiosity.

It’s one of Europe’s loudest amphibians (for its size)

Male natterjacks produce a loud, rasping “errrp” call using a yellow vocal sac under the throat.

Despite being relatively small, their calls can carry over a kilometre on still nights in open dunes.

Habitat and Distribution in the UK

In Britain, natterjack toads are found primarily in three types of habitat:

• Coastal sand dunes (particularly in north-west England)

• Lowland heaths

• Upper saltmarshes

It lives in some of the UK’s harshest amphibian habitats.

It thrives in coastal sand dunes and heathlands, where:

• water bodies are shallow and temporary

• temperatures can change quickly

• vegetation is sparse

Most amphibians can’t cope with these conditions.

Because its breeding pools often dry out, its tadpoles can develop in as little as 4–8 weeks, much faster than many other amphibians.

Historically, the species was more widespread, but habitat loss and changes in land use have caused severe declines.

Today, populations are concentrated in parts of north-west England, the Solway Firth region in south-west Scotland, and a few heathland sites in southern England.

How many are there in the UK?

There isn’t a single exact count (because populations fluctuate year to year), but conservation estimates generally suggest roughly a few thousand breeding adults in total.

Often cited range: ~5,000 to 10,000 adult individuals

Found in fewer than ~60–80 main breeding sites (depending on classification and survey year)

So compared to common amphibians like frogs or common toads, it’s extremely scarce.

The UK holds an important chunk of its global population

The UK is a stronghold for the species in north-west Europe, with populations concentrated in a small number of sites.

That makes it a priority conservation species, even though it’s more widespread in parts of continental Europe.

Natterjacks favour open, sparsely vegetated landscapes with sandy soils. They rely on shallow, temporary pools for breeding—water bodies that warm quickly in spring and are often free from fish and major predators. These ephemeral pools are essential for successful reproduction.

Breeding and Life Cycle

The breeding season usually begins in April and can continue on into June, depending on weather conditions.

Males gather at shallow pools and produce a loud, rasping call that can be heard over a kilometre away on still nights. This call is one of the most distinctive sounds of Britain’s coastal dunes in spring.

Females lay long strings of spawn, which are wrapped around submerged vegetation.

Tadpoles develop rapidly in the warm, shallow water, often completing metamorphosis within six to eight weeks. The speed of development is crucial, as many of the breeding pools dry out during summer.

Juvenile toads, known as toadlets, emerge in large numbers and disperse into surrounding habitat. However, survival rates are low, and only a small proportion reach adulthood.

Diet and Behaviour

Natterjack toads are nocturnal hunters.

They feed mainly on small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, flies, and spiders.

Their hunting strategy involves short bursts of movement followed by stillness, allowing them to ambush prey.

Outside of the breeding season, they shelter in burrows, under stones, or in sandy scrapes. During winter, they hibernate below ground to avoid the freezing temperatures.

Toadrunner

The “running” of the natterjack toad (Natterjack toad) is one of its most distinctive features—and it’s unusual enough that people often mistake it for a different animal at first glance.

What’s different about its movement?

Unlike most toads, which mainly hop or walk in short bursts, the natterjack:

• Uses a fast, scrambling run

• Moves with a low, crouched posture

• Often looks like it’s “scurrying” rather than jumping

Instead of powerful leaps like a frog, it relies on quick, coordinated leg movement to sprint across open ground.

Why it does this

It’s mainly an adaptation to its habitat:

• Lives in open sandy dunes and heathlands with little cover

• Hopping would leave it exposed to predators for too long

• Running keeps it closer to the ground and more stable in loose sand

• It can quickly dart between shallow pools or vegetation patches

The body shape behind it

Its anatomy supports this behaviour:

• Relatively short hind legs for a toad

• Strong forelimbs for stability and balance

• A lighter, more streamlined build compared with bulkier common toads

This combination makes it better at speed over short distances on flat terrain, rather than jumping height or distance.

That running ability helps it:

• Escape predators in exposed landscapes

• Move quickly between temporary breeding pools (which can dry out)

• Exploit habitats where other amphibians struggle

Conservation Status and Protection

The natterjack toad is legally protected in the UK under national wildlife legislation.

It is also listed under international conservation agreements due to its vulnerability.

Conservation measures focus on:

• Creating and maintaining shallow breeding pools

• Managing vegetation to keep habitats open

• Preventing the loss of dune and heathland systems

• Monitoring populations and supporting reintroduction projects

Active habitat management has helped stabilise some populations, but the species remains dependent on continued conservation work.

Ecological Importance

As both predator and prey, the natterjack toad plays an important role in its ecosystem.

It helps regulate insect populations and serves as food for birds, mammals, and reptiles. Its reliance on early-successional habitats also makes it an indicator species for the health of dynamic coastal and heathland environments.

Conclusion

The natterjack toad is a unique and quite charismatic amphibian of the British landscape.

Recognisable by its yellow dorsal stripe and distinctive call, it thrives in specialised habitats that are increasingly rare.

Ongoing conservation efforts are essential to ensure that this remarkable toad continues to inhabit the UK’s dunes and heathlands for generations to come.

Learn more about:

The life cycle of a tadpole

Common toad

Common frog

Britains rarest frog

Protecting amphibians in urban environments

How to create a newt-friendly pond

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