European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina)

Short answers

European fire-bellied toad: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm, two thirds water.

European fire-bellied toad: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 12–17 °C.

European fire-bellied toad: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

European fire-bellied toad: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

European fire-bellied toad: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

Aqua-terrarium

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm, two thirds water

Substrate

A water section 10–20 cm deep with plants, a shallow land section with moss

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, earthworms, daphnia

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

4–5 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Eastern and central Europe – lowland pools

Protection status

STRICTLY protected (Habitats Directive Annexes II and IV, German Federal Species Protection Ordinance) – registration required, only legal captive breeding

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

A group. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Offer enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed them separately when they differ in size.

Notes

A native, strictly protected species – taking it from the wild is a criminal offence, and keeping it must be registered with the conservation authority. It stays in the water almost permanently. The skin toxin irritates mucous membranes: wash your hands after contact.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Apennine yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus) – Intermediate
• Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) – Beginner
• Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) – Intermediate
• Large-webbed bell toad (Bombina maxima) – Beginner
• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
• Yellow-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
• Amazonian horned frog (Ceratophrys cornuta) – Intermediate
• Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm, two thirds water), substrate (A water section 10–20 cm deep with plants, a shallow land section with moss), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.