Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2423441
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
Bombina orientalisAlso known as Oriental Fire-bellied Frog, Asian Fire-bellied Toad
Oriental fire-bellied toads display bright emerald green and black bumpy backs that blend seamlessly into mossy pond banks. When threatened, they arch their spines and lift their limbs to display a striking bright red or orange belly, a warning display known as the unkenreflex. During the breeding season, males produce soft, dog-like barking calls while floating in shallow, calm waters.
AmphibianSemiaquaticToxic Skin
1 / 6—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flies
- Beetles
- Earthworms
Predators
- Snakes
- Herons
- Small mammals
ThreatsHabitat destruction, water pollution, chytrid fungus
HabitatsSlow-moving streams, ponds, flooded fields, temperate forests
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBombinatoridae
- SpeciesBombina orientalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Skin secretions contain mild toxins that irritate eyes and mucous membranes; wash hands after contact.
- Why it is dangerous
- Secretes bombesin and other peptide toxins from cutaneous glands that cause intense burning if rubbed into eyes or swallowed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by a bumpy green-and-black back paired with a vivid orange-red marbled belly.
- What to do
- Observe without picking up, or wear wet gloves if handling is required, washing hands immediately after.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Scan quiet, weed-choked pond edges and shallow puddles on warm spring days.
- Listening: Listen for repetitive, soft barking calls coming from floating males during spring.
- Handling: Avoid handling with bare skin to prevent transferring irritating toxins to your eyes.
Close Relative Rosenzweig / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.