Despite what their name indicates, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads are actually frogs. They have a bright underside that shows that they can release a toxic substance when threatened. Although it is not deadly the substance, which comes out via glands that these frogs have all over their body, can cause damage to any potential predators.
Habitat
Oriental Fire Bellied Toads live throughout China, Korea and parts of Russia. Preferring to live close to stagnant or slow-flowing water, they live in a variety of places including forest, meadows and bush. They hibernate between September to May by hiding in soft dirt, often up to a few hundred metres from water.
Description
Growing up to between 3.8 - 5cm and weighing between 28 and 56g, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads are bright green on their back and vibrant orange on their underside. They are covered in black splotches.
They also have triangular pupils.
Diet
Unlike other frogs, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads do not have an extendable tongue, instead they jump or dig to catch their prey. Like other frogs, their prey consists of small insects, worms and mollusks.
Threats
Although they are listed as Least Concern on the ICUN Red List, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads are declining. Some of their main threats include collection for traditional Chinese medicine and habitat loss, particularly in urban areas where chemical pollution will sometimes cause abnormalities with their limbs.
How to Help?
One way to help is to reduce, reuse and recycle, which is very important as it can help reduce pollution in the areas that Oriental Fire Bellied Toads live in. Another good way to help is to tell other people about these frogs and their threats. This is very helpful as If people know about the threats they are causing, they become more aware of what they do that effects the environment. Also - the more people that know, the more people that can to something to help.
References
Korea Science - https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201613849498739.page
The Spruce Pets - https://www.thesprucepets.com/oriental-fire-bellied-toads-1236815
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute - https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/oriental-fire-bellied-toad
Seaworld - https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/amphibians/oriental-fire-bellied-toad/
Animal Diversity Web - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bombina_orientalis/
ICUN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/54449/63850146
Oriental Fire Bellied Toads live throughout China, Korea and parts of Russia. Preferring to live close to stagnant or slow-flowing water, they live in a variety of places including forest, meadows and bush. They hibernate between September to May by hiding in soft dirt, often up to a few hundred metres from water.
Description
Growing up to between 3.8 - 5cm and weighing between 28 and 56g, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads are bright green on their back and vibrant orange on their underside. They are covered in black splotches.
They also have triangular pupils.
Diet
Unlike other frogs, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads do not have an extendable tongue, instead they jump or dig to catch their prey. Like other frogs, their prey consists of small insects, worms and mollusks.
Threats
Although they are listed as Least Concern on the ICUN Red List, Oriental Fire Bellied Toads are declining. Some of their main threats include collection for traditional Chinese medicine and habitat loss, particularly in urban areas where chemical pollution will sometimes cause abnormalities with their limbs.
How to Help?
One way to help is to reduce, reuse and recycle, which is very important as it can help reduce pollution in the areas that Oriental Fire Bellied Toads live in. Another good way to help is to tell other people about these frogs and their threats. This is very helpful as If people know about the threats they are causing, they become more aware of what they do that effects the environment. Also - the more people that know, the more people that can to something to help.
References
Korea Science - https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201613849498739.page
The Spruce Pets - https://www.thesprucepets.com/oriental-fire-bellied-toads-1236815
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute - https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/oriental-fire-bellied-toad
Seaworld - https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/amphibians/oriental-fire-bellied-toad/
Animal Diversity Web - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bombina_orientalis/
ICUN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/54449/63850146