The Common Midwife Toad

Written and verified by biochemistry Luz Eduviges Thomas-Romero

Last update: 21 December, 2022

The small common midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans) doesn’t have a typical toad-like appearance, as it’s a small amphibian with warty skin and a robust body.

These amphibians can be distinguished by their bodies covered in red warts. Their pigmentation is very varied, from pale to brown tones. They also have spots on their throats and chests that can have many colors, including black, brown, olive, green, or grey.

Males are slightly smaller (42 millimeters in length) than females, which in adulthood reach approximately 55 millimeters (2 inches). Moreover, they have vertical slit-shaped pupils in their large eyes.

Distribution and habitat of the common midwife toad

This animal can be found in eight European countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland, and has been introduced to the United Kingdom. To date, three European subspecies have been reported.

Thus, this species lives from the seashore, in Asturias and the Basque Country in Spain, for example, to 2,400 meters above sea level in the Pyrenees. In Central Europe, most populations live at altitudes between 200 and 700 meters (650-2300 feet) above sea level, rarely below 200 meters.

Behavior

The common midwife toad prefers life on land, as it only lives in water when it’s a tadpole. These small amphibians often hide in holes or under logs to prevent their skin from drying. If an individual can’t find shelter, it digs its own burrow.

The common midwife toad usually comes out of its burrow at dusk and during rainfall to look for insects and arthropods. Adults may hibernate underground to protect themselves from frost during the winter months.

Breeding behavior

During the breeding season, the males make their courtship calls every night for several hours. Occasionally, you can hear the males calling from their burrows during the day.

It was reported that females tend to prefer males who call more frequently. Besides, females give a callback to the male of their choice, which is rare among other anurans. Competition between males during the breeding season is strictly vocal, as no direct aggression between individuals has been observed.

The exemplary paternity of the common midwife toad

The mating season varies between late March and early August. Females can lay up to four clutches of eggs per breeding season.

These amphibians are well-known for their parenting behavior. The males attach the egg rows of the female to their bodies. They then carry them on the back of their legs until they hatch. At this point, the males release the tadpoles into water.

When carrying the eggs, the common midwife toad can temporarily keep them out of water where they are in great danger of being eaten. Males can carry about 150 eggs around their ankles during the breeding season, which is about three clutches.

Males keep their eggs moist by choosing an adequate place and occasionally having a dip. After three to six weeks, the eggs hatch and the male deposits the tadpoles in a small body of water. When they hatch, the larvae measure approximately 15 millimeters, and after one year of life they go through the metamorphosis.

Depredation

When threatened, the common midwife toads excrete a powerful smelly toxin from the warts on their backs, to defend themselves from predators. This toxin is highly effective and can be fatal.

Thus, in a matter of hours, the toxin can kill a snake. Tadpoles can’t produce this toxin and are vulnerable to predators during their development.

Conservation threats for the common midwife toad

Habitat loss is the main factor in the decline of this species. Additionally, other changes that affect micro-climatic conditions (i.e. drainage of temporary water bodies) have a negative impact.

Furthermore, another possible reason for the decline of these amphibians is the increase in predators (natural or introduced) and the transmission of diseases. However, animal behavior experts reported that the common midwife toad can occupy habitats modified by humans, such as agricultural land and urban areas.