Natterjack toad

Natterjack toads (Bufo calamita) are thought to be Europe's noisiest amphibian - the call of the male being audible over several miles.

They differ from common toads by having fairly flattened bodies with short limbs, and feet that are not completely webbed.

Natterjacks are predominately nocturnal. They often rest under large stones, or in crevices and burrows during daylight hours.

They are also poor swimmers and are known to drown quickly in deep water if they cannot get ashore. Natterjacks emerge from hibernation in March and head off for their breeding sites.

Natterjack toads have the ability to darken or lighten the colour of their skin, in order to camouflage themselves in their environment.

Sand-loving natterjack toads were found along the sand dunes of the north Wales coast as far as Anglesey, but today they are limited to one small site at Talacre near the Dee Estuary.

Natterjacks became extinct in Wales during the 1960s, because of the development of caravan parks, but the species was reintroduced to the dunes five years ago.