The common toad (Bufo bufo), European toad, or simply the toad varies in colour from dark brown, grey and olive green to sandy-coloured. It spends much of its year in moist, shaded places, often in woodland, feeding on worms, slugs and insects. It is famous for migrating en masse to its breeding ponds. When threatened, the warts on its back secrete a vile-tasting substance – its defence against predators. It can grow up to 13cm in length and females are larger than males.
