This is an animal that belongs to the class of amphibians and to the toads family. This animal is listed in the Red Book MSOP. This is an amphibian that does not have voice bags.
There are 3 subspecies of the Caucasian toad. One of them is a toad of Turov. Representatives of this subspecies are smaller than the rest, they have sharp hillocks in the belly zone. Another subspecies Circassian toad. She has a tubercle on her back, how she differs from the rest. The last subspecies V. Verrucossissimus, outwardly individuals are very similar to the Circassian toads.
Appearance
The body length of the male ranges from 7 to 9, 7 cm, in females this indicator varies from 9 to 12 cm. Males have corns on the front limbs. The skin of the toad can be grayish or brown. There are dark spots on the body of the animal. There is a brown strip on the parotid glands. Bruck Caucasian toad gray.
Where it lives
It can be found in the west of the Caucasus, in the east there are also population populations. This animal lives in the territory of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territory. There are isolated populations in Northern Iran and Azerbaijan, in Georgia.
Labor
This animal prefers deciduous and coniferous forests in the subalpine belt. This amphibian sets in shaded areas, in extensive shrubs and in clearing. Caucasian toad can be found in groves and hollows.
Lifestyle
Caucasian toad is more active in the evening and night. In the daytime, amphibian loves to hide under trees and stones, in lobby. During the wedding period, the animal is actively all day. Zhaba feeds on insects, snails and pollowns.
Reproduction
The breeding season for animals living on the plain begins around midMarch, and for those who live in the mountains, in April or May. This season lasts about 10 days for the inhabitants of the plains, and in the mountains it can drag out until the end of summer. Caucasian toads usually multiply in “quiet” reservoirs or mountain streams, in shallow ponds. Animals often change places for propagation.
Male individuals can create a couple not only on the surface, but also in water. However, spawning always takes place in water at a temperature of 5 to 13 ° C. The female lays caviar at night, it looks like a long cord, whose thickness is about 8 mm. These cords are usually located on stones or underwater plants. In this masonry, eggs are located in 3 rows, in one cord there can be, both 800 eggs and 10,000.
The development of the embryo takes about 7 days. Tadpoles usually appear somewhere in the second half of May, when the water temperature rises to 17 ° C. The survival of the offspring is low, usually its indicator does not exceed 1%. The length of the elelets when they reach the surface are usually 1-2 cm, and the weight is about 900 mg.
Interesting Facts
- During the marriage period, the density of the Caucasian toads increases to 80 animals by 1 km of the surface.
- Males become sexually mature already at 2 years old, and females only at 3.
- The average life expectancy of the Caucasian toad in a natural environment is 10 years.
- Wintering in this type begins in September. Winter toads under the roots of trees.
- Molting at the Caucasian toad takes place in August.
