Two
common toads (
Bufo bufo) in
amplexus, a form of
pseudocopulation found in
amphibians and
limulids. A male common toad grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process. Common toads stay in amplexus for several days. As the female lays a long, double string of small black
eggs, the male fertilises them with his
sperm; the gelatinous egg strings, which may contain 3000 to 6000 eggs and be 3 to 4.5 metres (10 to 15 ft) in length, are later tangled in plant stalks.
Photo: Bernie Kohl