Caucasian Toad \ Bufo verrucosissimus

The Caucasian Toad (Bufo verrucosissimus), is a large, robust amphibian belonging to the family Bufonidae. It has a broad body, relatively short hind legs, rough, heavily warty skin, and earthy brown to greyish coloration that provides excellent camouflage among rocks, soil, and fallen leaves. Prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes produce defensive secretions that discourage predators. Unlike many frogs, the Caucasian Toad generally moves by walking or crawling rather than making long jumps. It is primarily nocturnal, feeding on insects, worms, spiders, and other small invertebrates.

In Lebanon, the Caucasian Toad is a rare and localized native species, restricted mainly to humid, wooded river valleys with permanent freshwater, dense vegetation, and abundant leaf litter. During the day, it shelters in cool, shaded places, becoming more active at night and during wet conditions. Breeding usually occurs in early spring, when females deposit long, gelatinous strings of eggs in slow-moving or nearly still water. The species has been documented in the Nahr Ibrahim valley and around the Awali River near Moukhtara.

The Caucasian Toad holds particular scientific importance in Lebanon. A 2019 genetic study by Daniel Jablonski and Riyad A. Sadek confirmed that Lebanese populations belong to Bufo verrucosissimus, revealing a close genetic relationship with populations from the Transcaucasian region. Globally, the species is classified as Near Threatened (NT), with habitat degradation, freshwater pollution, and the loss of humid forest environments posing concerns for its conservation.