Amphibians are vertebrates (meaning they have a backbone), that spend part of their life in water and part on land. Class Amphibia includes the newts and salamanders, frogs and toads, and the worm-like caecilians. Amphibians cannot regulate their own body heat but instead rely on external factors to maintain their body temperature between critical limits (ectothermic). The life cycle of most amphibians involves a transformation from an aquatic larval stage (which takes in oxygen via gills) to terrestrial adult (which breathes using lungs). One newt, one toad and one frog species are found
Three species of amphibian occur in Ireland: the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris), the common frog (Rana temporaria) and the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita).
The smooth newt is found throughout Ireland but is an elusive animal not often seen between August and March. In spring and early summer, populations come together to breed in ponds and ditches. Adults may remain in the ponds for several months. Outside the breeding season, the newt is terrestrial and usually nocturnal. They feed on slugs, worms, flies and other insects. Over winter newts hibernate, often in groups, under rotting logs, old tree stumps, in sheds, outhouses, and other locations that are free of frost and safe from predators. The common frog may have been introduced to Ireland, but, whatever its origins, it is now widespread and common throughout Ireland. In fact it is one of the most common amphibians in Europe. Frogs emerge from hibernation in early spring, returning to the same breeding pond each year in March or April to spawn. The tadpoles can take 4 - 10 weeks to develop, but occasionally tadpoles will overwinter in ponds before metamorphosing the following spring.
The Natterjack Toad is the only toad species found in Ireland. It was first recorded here in 1805 but recent genetic studies suggest the toad may be native. While Irish Natterjacks appear to be most closely related to toads from north-west England, researchers have identified genetic differences indicative of a 10,000-year separation. Natterjacks are found only at a number of coastal regions in Kerry and on one dune system at Raven Point in Co. Wexford where they were introduced in the early 1990s. The Irish Natterjack Toad population is at the edge of the species' geographic range.
Natterjack Toad Bufo calamita (Photo: Mike Brown)
A major new scheme, aimed at getting farmers involved in natterjack toad conservation, has been launched by NPWS. The programme has an ambitious target of reinstating the natterjack toad around Castlemaine Harbour and along the coastal strip west of Castlegregory on the Dingle peninsula. See section on NPWS Natterjack Toad Scheme for more information.
Irish Wildlife Manual No 10: 
Beebee (2002) The natterjack toad Bufo calamita in Ireland: current status and conservation requirements. [493KB]
Irish Wildlife Manual No 31: Becart, Aubry & Emmerson (2007) Monitoring the conservation status of the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) in Ireland, 2004-2006. [3.44MB]