The common toad (Bufo bufo) is quite charismatic creature and became immortalised as Mr Toad in Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows.

Identification
The toad has a drier more warty and rough skin than the frog. The colour of toads is variable, but most are usually a greenish brown. The nose is also more rounded than the frog, which is more pointed when viewed from above. Toads travel by crawling or hopping rather than jumping like the frog.

Male toads have bigger, stronger forelegs than the females. In spring the males have dark nuptial pads on their thumbs (to help grip the females). Male toads will also often croak or squeak when handled. This behaviour is to let other male toads know they are trying to mate with another male.

Toadspawn is laid in strings rather than the clumps that frogs lay.

The larvae (tadpoles) of the frog and toad are difficult to tell apart. Toad larvae are usually a uniform black in colour, while frog larvae are lighter brown with a more speckled pattern.

Ecology
Toads are largely terrestrial amphibians that visit ponds during spring (March/April) to breed.

They can be found in variety of habitats including, farmland, woodland, rough grassland, golf courses, parks and wasteland.

Toads tend to favour larger more permanent water bodies to breed than the frog. For this reason, the toad is not as regular a visitor to gardens as the frog.

Toads eat a diet of invertebrates such as worms, caterpillars and slugs.

Toads in Buckinghamshire
Although toads are common in Buckinghamshire, research has indicated a decline across the country. It is important to continue to monitor numbers in order to study this further.

Toads are also vulnerable to traffic when the have to cross a road to get to their breeding pond. It is also important to get information on where significant toad mortalities are occurring.

Protection
Common toads are protected from being traded under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.