Description

This beautiful toad ranges from 48-120 mm snout-vent lenght. The following characteristics are used to describe the green toad: it has a diploid set of chromosomes 2n = 22; the parotoid glands behind the eyes are prominent; the pupil of the eye is horizontal; the tympanic membrane and male guttural resonator are present;the internal edge of the tarsus contians a longitudinal skin fold; the 3rd toe has a singular subarticular tubercle; the tip of 4th finger exceeds the 1st articulation of the 3rd finger; the dorsal skin is tuberculate, grayish or olive with green or olive spots and red or red-orange points onthe flanks. The belly is grayish. Male differs from the female by having nuptial pads on the first finger (in breeding season on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers), smaller body size, and sometimes more greenish dorsal background coloration (grayish in females) during the breeding season.

Bufo viridis is the central member of the group of green toads widespread in thePalearctics. Subspecific differentiation of this species, as well as taxonomy of green toad group in general, needs thourough study.