The effect of inundation on hibernating Bufo bufo and Bufo calamita

Abstract

Inundation effects on terrestrially hibernating Bufo bufn and B. calamita are reported. Mortality caused by experimental inundation of seminatural hibernation sites was high in B. calamita and very low in B. bufo. In a floodplain eight telemetrically monitored B. bufo withstood flooding during a period of 25-35 days without leaving their hibernation sites. After this period the emerging toads suffered mortality by floating down the river depending on the water level at the moment of emerging. The importance of floodsafe areas in floodplains is demonstrated.