description Common Midwife Toad Overview
The common midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans, is a small amphibian native to parts of western and central Europe. Unlike most frogs and toads, it reproduces through extended paternal care: the male winds fertilized strings of eggs around his hind legs, keeps them moist on land, and carries them until hatching approaches. He then enters suitable water, where the tadpoles emerge and continue their aquatic development.
help Common Midwife Toad FAQ
Why is the Common Midwife Toad named that way?
The Common Midwife Toad gets its name from the unique reproductive behavior of the males, who carry the fertilized egg strings wrapped around their hind legs. The male carries these eggs to keep them safe from predators and prevent them from drying out.
Where does the Common Midwife Toad live in the wild?
Alytes obstetricans is the most widespread species of midwife toad, with a native range spanning from Portugal and Spain up through France and into Germany. They typically inhabit a variety of environments including forests, scrublands, and rural agricultural areas.
How does the male midwife toad know when to release the eggs?
The male carries the eggs for several weeks until the embryos are fully developed and ready to hatch. At that point, he seeks out a suitable body of water and dips his legs in, stimulating the tadpoles to break free from their eggs.
What do Common Midwife Toads sound like when they call?
The male Common Midwife Toad produces a distinct, high-pitched, modulated call that sounds like a tiny electronic bleat. Because they call mostly at dusk and night, they were historically popular pets, as people often mistook their call for an exotic bird.
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