Photo Disclaimer
Description
Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
Scientific Name: Bombina orientalis
Common Name: Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 to 6.5 cm), with females often slightly larger and rounder than males.
Appearance: The Oriental Fire-bellied Toad is brightly coloured and semi-aquatic, with a vivid green to yellow-green dorsum patterned with irregular black blotches. The skin is moderately bumpy, giving it a textured appearance. The ventral surface is strikingly patterned with red, orange, or yellow alongside black mottling, serving as a warning display against predators. The pupils are horizontal, and the eyes are golden to copper in tone. Overall, the species has a compact, robust build with strong limbs for both swimming and climbing.
Distribution: Native to northeastern China, Korea, and parts of the Russian Far East. It inhabits temperate regions with seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall.
Habitat: Wild individuals inhabit ponds, marshes, wetlands, forest edges, and slow-moving streams. They divide their time between water and land, making use of shallow aquatic areas for feeding and breeding while resting on partially submerged vegetation, rocks, or moist land. In captivity, they require a paludarium that replicates both environments.
Behaviour: Diurnal and highly active, Oriental Fire-bellied Toads are social and often kept in groups. They display the characteristic “unken reflex,” arching their back and limbs to expose their bright belly when threatened. They are vocal, especially males, with distinctive chattering calls.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A single adult or small group can be housed in a 24 × 18 × 18 inches (60 × 45 × 45 cm) enclosure. A paludarium-style setup is ideal, offering roughly equal portions of shallow water and land. Land areas should include moist soil or moss, smooth stones, cork flats, and dense plant cover. Water should be shallow, filtered, and easy to exit using angled stones or ramps. For larger groups, upgrading to 36 × 18 × 18 inches (90 × 45 × 45 cm) provides additional space and reduces competition.
Temperature and Humidity:
Ambient temperature: 72 to 78°F (22 to 26°C)
Warm area: 80°F (27°C)
Night temperature: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Humidity: 60 to 80%, supported by regular misting and strong ventilation.
Lighting: Provide low to moderate UVB (2 to 5%) with bright but indirect lighting. Live plants thrive under moderate light and contribute to enrichment. Maintain a consistent day and night cycle.
Diet: Offer a varied diet of small insects including crickets, roaches, worms, black soldier fly larvae, and suitable aquatic invertebrates. Feed juveniles more frequently and adults on a moderated schedule. Supplement prey with calcium and multivitamins as needed.
Behaviour in Captivity: Active, bold, and visually engaging, these toads adapt well to naturalistic setups. They are social and do best in groups, where natural displays and vocalizations can be observed. Handling should be avoided due to their sensitive skin and mild toxins.
Genetics Note
There are no widely recognised morphs for the Oriental Fire-bellied Toad in the pet trade. Natural variation occurs in dorsal colour intensity, blotch patterning, and ventral contrast, but these are normal population-level differences rather than defined genetic traits.
Estimate shipping