This is a small toad which doesn't grow to more than 5cm and can be found in all regions of France except the north east. They have a large flattened head with a rounded nose, prominent eyes with vertical lozenge shaped pupils. Their toes are long, smooth underneath and web less. The back is usually a drab grey or brown occasionally spotted with dark green, ventral surface is whitish with grey spots. Their call can resemble that of a Scops Owl Otus scops, a sort of persistent pew and this often causes confusion when there are only a few present. Where populations are concentrated there should be no confusion possible. It is difficult to tell the difference between the sexes although females will sometimes have red or orange spotting on the flanks running back from the eyes and males have longer rear legs than females.

They are generally to be found in woodland, under rock piles, in stone walls, under old tree stumps or wood piles and heaps of sand that is being used for construction work. Although they can be found at altitudes of up to 2000 metres they are more usually a creature of the plains and valleys with populations often concentrated near rivers. They are gregarious, mostly nocturnal and their prey is made up of worms, small slugs, various insects and insect eggs etc. They take refuge in humid holes, old wells and similar places in times of excessive heat or drought. Hibernation takes place from October until March depending on temperatures

In France they are considered vulnerable / endangered and in decline due to the removal of the places they use for depositing their larvae, principally small ponds and pools as well as excessive ditch clearing at the wrong times of year. Fully protected species.