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How many amphibians are there in Estonia?
There are only 11 species of amphibians in Estonia. They belong to two orders and form four families. The Systematic list of Estonian amphibians provides a survey of different groups of amphibians.
Which species of amphibians are characteristic of Estonia?
Common frog is the most common Estonian amphibian. It lives everywhere in Estonia apart from Saaremaa. Crested newt is also widespread all over Estonia. Smooth newt, common toad and moor frog live almost everywhere in Estonia.
It is interesting that there are very much larger common toads (up to 16 cm) on the islands than in the continent.
Where do Estonian amphibians live?
Resulting from numerous bodies of water and damp places there are favourable conditions for amphibians in Estonia.
Spade foot toad and green toad are used to living in the neighborhood of people. Spade foot toad uses soft surface in the fields and gardens for hiding in the daytime. Thus the distribution of these animals depends on the location of farms and houses with gardens.
The habitats of Natterjack toad are beach dunes and pastures with thin vegetation near the seashore, sand and gravel pits. Natterjack toad is not particular about the spawning body of water, saltiness of water and drying. The habitats of Natterjack toad are damp forests and larger parks. Suitable spawning places are deep bodies of water (ponds and pools).
What is the importance of Estonian amphibians?
Estonians amphibians are not used as food but they bring us benefit eating insects and slugs. Amphibians have a significant place in various food chains of different ecosystems.
What influences Estonian amphibians?
Estonian amphibians are more numerous on the islands than in the continent. It is supposed to result from the use of organic fertilizers only on the one hand and the absence of intensive agriculture on the other hand. For instance, there have been found up to 40 kg of amphibians per hectare on Piirissaare which is a small island on Lake Peipus. Abundant usage of chemicals kills the young of amphibians.
There can be good living conditions for amphibians even in the regions of intensive agricultural activities if there are small patches of forests or ponds not further from each other than 1 km in the middle of fields. Most of amphibians do not move further from the spawning place than 0.6 - 1 km.
All eleven species of amphibians are under protection in Estonia. There is more information about them under the link Protected amphibians in Estonia.