Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 84, December 2008, pp. 1-18. | Page 3

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Southern Banded Newt. Foto: César L. Barrio Amoros, 2006.
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_browseimgs_amphibian_
sci&enlarge=1111+1111+1111+5253
ORDER: SALIENTIA or ANURA (Frogs and Toads)
Family Bufonidae:
3. European Green Toad (Bufo viridis, Laurenti 1768):
The European Green Toad Bufo viridis is a toad found in mainland Europe, Asia, and
Northern Africa. They live in many areas, including steppes, mountainous areas, semideserts, and urban areas. There are variations in the colours and patterns of these toads
across their range. The spots their backs are usually anything from green to dark brown
and sometimes red spots appear, too. Most toads have white or very lightly coloured
stomachs.
The toads eat a variety of insects and invertebrates, mainly crickets, meal worms, earth
worms, moths, beetles and caterpillars.
These toads will change their colour in response to heat and light changes, but to a
greater degree than others. Also similar to other toads, the European Green Toad has
glands behind its neck that secrete a toxin when the toad is threatened. Female toads are
larger than males and can lay 9,000 to 15,000 eggs at a time. These toads can reach 15
centimeters (5.9 inches) in length, but most will only grow to a length of about 8
centimeters (3.15 inches).
In Palestine, it lives in most of the Palestinian territories (West Bank and Gaza Strip). It is
also found in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, Naqab/Negev, Al-Jaleel/Galilee, and the
Palestinian coastal plain.

Gazelle – Number 84 – December 2008