Fauna
Amphibian

Caucasian Toad

Bufo verrucosissimus

Also known as Caucasian Common Toad, Caucasian Forest Toad

Caucasian toads inhabit damp mountain woodlands and shaded riverbanks, spending hot daylight hours concealed under fallen logs or subterranean burrows. As twilight falls, these large amphibians emerge to hunt terrestrial invertebrates along humid forest floors using a quick sticky-tongue strike. During spring, adults migrate to quiet forest pools where females lay long jelly-like egg strings wrapped around submerged vegetation.

AmphibianForest DwellerNocturnal
Caucasian Toad reference1 / 7
(c) Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Юрий Данилевский (Yuriy Danilevsky) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySlugs, Earthworms, Beetles
Predators
  • Grass snakes
  • Birds of prey
  • Hedgehogs
ThreatsHabitat loss, deforestation, water pollution
HabitatsTemperate forests, subtropical moist lowland forests, intermittent rivers, gardens, and ponds
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyBufonidae
  2. SpeciesBufo verrucosissimus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Skin secretions contain bufotoxins that irritate eyes and cause severe illness if swallowed by pets.
Why it is dangerous
Secretes bufotoxins from parotoid glands behind the eyes, causing severe mucosal irritation and gastrointestinal distress if swallowed by pets.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes, dense warty skin, and robust brown-to-grey coloration.
What to do
Observe without touching, and keep pets away to avoid accidental ingestion of toxic skin secretions.
What to notice
A large, warty toad active at night in moist mountain habitats near pools or slow streams.
Support conservation
Avoid trampling delicate damp microhabitats and never disturb egg strings attached to pool vegetation.
Responsible observation
  • Nighttime searching: Search along damp forest paths and moist leaf litter following warm spring rains.
  • Safe viewing: Observe from a short distance without picking up individuals to avoid stressing them.
  • Pet safety: Keep domestic dogs on a leash in forest areas to prevent accidental ingestion.
Related species
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