Wildlife Guide · Asia
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
Bombina orientalis
The green toad with a warning-red belly
Image: Photo: Fir0002 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
In brief
The Oriental fire-bellied toad is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian from East Asia, recognized by its green and black back and its vivid red-and-black underside. When threatened, it arches its body to flash the bright belly, warning predators that its skin is toxic.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
The Oriental fire-bellied toad is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian from East Asia, recognized by its green and black back and its vivid red-and-black underside. When threatened, it arches its body to flash the bright belly, warning predators that its skin is toxic. These hardy, popular pet toads commonly live 12 to 15 years, sometimes longer.
0.05 m
Typical length
40 g
Typical weight
4 km/h
Top speed
14 yrs
Lifespan
Figures sourced from Wikipedia — Oriental Fire-bellied Toad, Wikidata — Oriental Fire-bellied Toad .
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad: Quick Facts
| Scientific name | Bombina orientalis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (insects, worms, small invertebrates) |
| Habitat | Slow streams, ponds, and rice paddies |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years, sometimes more |
| Length | 4–5 cm (1.5–2 in) body length |
| Weight | Around 40 g (1.4 oz) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Bombinatoridae |
| Genus | Bombina |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List category)
- Population
- Global population not compiled for this guide
- Trend
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- Assessed
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- CITES
- See CITES appendices
Conservation figures are drawn from the IUCN Red List and CITES; this guide links to the authoritative sources rather than restating population counts.
Key Facts: Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
- Fire-bellied toads are active by day and spend much of their time in or near water.
- These toads are carnivores that eat insects, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates.
- The Oriental fire-bellied toad lives in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of southeastern Russia, in slow streams, ponds, marshes, and rice paddies.
Behavior and the warning display
Fire-bellied toads are active by day and spend much of their time in or near water. Their most famous behavior is the unken reflex: when alarmed, the toad arches its back and lifts its limbs to display the bright red-and-black belly, a warning of the toxins in its skin. These mild toxins can irritate the eyes and mouth of a predator.
Diet and feeding
These toads are carnivores that eat insects, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates. They hunt by sight and lunge at moving prey, often near the water's edge. In captivity they readily take crickets, mealworms, and earthworms.
Habitat and range
The Oriental fire-bellied toad lives in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of southeastern Russia, in slow streams, ponds, marshes, and rice paddies. It favors cool, shallow water with plenty of vegetation and basking spots. It is semi-aquatic, splitting its time between water and damp land.
Conservation and as a pet
The species is listed as Least Concern and remains common across its range. It is one of the most widely kept pet amphibians because it is hardy, active, and long-lived. Owners should handle it sparingly, as its skin secretions can irritate human skin and eyes.
What WARN Does
WARN does not run a dedicated oriental fire-bellied toad programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The oriental fire-bellied toad is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the oriental fire-bellied toad supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad: Frequently Asked Questions
Why do fire-bellied toads have red bellies?
Are fire-bellied toads poisonous?
What do fire-bellied toads eat?
How long do fire-bellied toads live?
Are fire-bellied toads good pets?
Where do fire-bellied toads live?
Are oriental fire-bellied toads dangerous?
How big is an oriental fire-bellied toad?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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