Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita)

Short answers

Natterjack toad: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm.

Natterjack toad: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 14–18 °C.

Natterjack toad: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Natterjack toad: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Natterjack toad: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

55–70 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm

Substrate

Sand they can dig in, stones, a very shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Ants, beetles, small crickets, house crickets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

6–9 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Western and central Europe – pioneer habitats

Protection status

STRICTLY protected (Habitats Directive Annex IV, German Federal Species Protection Ordinance) – registration required

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

A group is possible. 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

It runs rather than hops (the "running toad"), with a striking yellow dorsal stripe. It inhabits sand and gravel flats with shallow pools. Populations in Germany are falling sharply – captive-bred animals only.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) in the marketplace →

Related species

• African common toad (Sclerophrys regularis) – Beginner
• Cane toad (Rhinella marina) – Beginner
• American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) – Beginner
• Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) – Beginner
• Colorado River toad (Incilius alvarius) – Intermediate
• Common toad (Bufo bufo) – Beginner
• European green toad (Bufotes viridis) – Intermediate
• Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm), substrate (Sand they can dig in, stones, a very shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.