Oriental Firebellied Toad (Bombina orientalis)

Common Name: Oriental Firebellied Toad
Scientific Name: Bombina orientalis
Family: Bombinatoridae – Fire Bellied Toad family
Location:  South Korea, North Korea, Japan, China, and Russia
Size: 1.5 -2 inches (4 – 5 cm)

The Oriental Firebellied Toad is a common, cheap toad found in the pet trade. They are relatively easy to take care of for a frog or toad. They are diurnal, active during the day, which is good if you want to see them move about. Warning, they are mildly toxic to humans so make sure to wash your hands after handling them and don’t let your pets eat them. They can live for over 15 years so be ready for that if you buy one. Be sure to read my post, Preparing for a Pet Frog or Toad before buying one. I own two of them myself so I am more than willing to answer any questions about them.

Their bellies are reddish, orange in color, hence their name. When attacked by a predator, they often roll over and arch their back to show off the belly to warn that they are toxic. This is called the unken reflux.

The firebellied toad hibernates from late September / October to late April / May. They even form groups of up to 6 individuals to hibernate in rotten trees, leaves, or rocks with. The breeding season starts after the toads awake from their sleep generally in April and lasts until August.

Once the mating season starts, the male floats on the surface of streams and call out for the females. If a female arrives, the male grasps her from behind in the amplexus position. Then, the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them. The female lays between 40 to 110 eggs. Once the mating is completed, both parents leave and neither provides any parental care.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assess the toad as Least Concern for Extinction. They have a wide range, presumed large population, and are able to tolerate habitat disturbances.