I’ve recently been visiting my preferred frogs in my preferred site, where I also studied them for my University thesis back at the beginning of the 2000s. The Italian yellow-bellied toads (Bombina pachypus) are endemic to Italy and getting rarer and rarer each year. Here in this undisclosed site they still thrive and breed each year and I was able to count lots of adult and young ones already in the water waiting for breeding, although the actual spawning didn’t start yet. It’s a very nice species, with bright yellow and bluish bellies (aposematic coloration) and a dull and cryptic back. They tend to float in the water as you can see here and after a while you’re there, they tend to “get used” to your presence and act very naturally. I love them so much and will do everything to keep this species alive as long as possible. #bombina #underwaterimages #wideangle #picoftheday #pictureoftheday #firebellytoad #pachypus #amphibian #conservation #biodiversity #endemic @ilcp_photographers @isotta_underwater_housings https://www.instagram.com/p/CQeHJI7gTK_/?utm_medium=tumblr
