Yellow-Bellied Toad: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Newts and Salamanders · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. When threatened, the yellow-bellied toad shows off its yellow belly, a warning that its skin is poisonous.
2. Male yellow-bellied toads kick their hind legs in the water to make waves. The ripples attract females and mark the male's territory.
3. In 1968, scientists sorted the belly patterns into eight forms, from almost all yellow (Form 1) to almost all black (Form 8).
4. This toad breeds in shallow pools that can disappear overnight. In its family, it is the only species that does.
5. A yellow-bellied toad can live anywhere from 5 to 23 years.

The quiz

1. What does the toad show when it is threatened?

• Its red tongue
• Its yellow belly (correct)
• Bright blue spots
• Its long tail

It flashes its yellow belly as a warning.

2. How does a male toad make waves?

• By slapping the water with his belly
• By splashing with his front legs
• By kicking his hind legs in the water (correct)
• By swimming in circles

Males kick their hind legs in the water to make waves.

3. Which belly form is nearly completely black?

• Form 8 (correct)
• Form 1
• Form 3
• Form 5

Form 8 is nearly completely black, while Form 1 is nearly completely yellow.

4. What is special about the pools where this toad breeds?

• They are always deep
• They are salty
• They are frozen
• They can disappear overnight (correct)

It breeds in shallow pools that can disappear overnight.

5. How long can a yellow-bellied toad live?

• Only 1 to 3 years
• Anywhere from 5 to 23 years (correct)
• Over 50 years
• Exactly 10 years

It can live anywhere from 5 to 23 years.

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