Yellow-bellied toad
The characteristic of a family Bombinatoridae, which include yellow-bellied and fire-bellied toad is rounded tongue that can not be stretch out for prey. Ecological requirements of the species dictate the prevalence of both toad species in Slovenia. Yellow-bellied toad is widespread up to an altitude 2100 meters, while the fire-bellied toad is found only in the Pannonian region of northeastern Slovenia and in the eastern part only in flood area Jovsi.
We recognise the yellow-bellied toad after the warts on the skin, flattened body, heart-shaped pupils and yellow abdomen with black spots. It grows from 35 to 45 mm in length. The mating call of the males can be heard in late spring and early summer, a dull but melodic "uh... uh... uh" from their mating grounds.
Its habitat are smaller streams, mud puddles in the wheel tracks, small ponds; everywhere where there are no fish. Yellow-bellied toad hibernates beneath the dead trees, stones and among roots of the trees and bushes in bright forests, along streams or in swampy meadows.
Threats
The species is ecologically rather demanding because for the existence needs clean water with lots of underwater vegetation, while in the water should not be fish species that would threaten the existence of tadpoles. In the vicinity of the water should not be pesticides and fertilizers. Species is threatened by habitat loss, due to drainage of floodplain areas, destroying stagnant water, regulation of watercourses, changing the water regime, intensification of agriculture and urbanization.
