Common toad  (Bufo bufo)

Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
Metamorphosis: an abrupt physical change from the larval to the adult form.
Nocturnal: active at night.

1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (January 2003):
   http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn
   
2. Beebee, T & Griffiths, R. (2000) The New Naturalist: Amphibians and reptiles- a natural history of the British herpetofauna. Harper Collins Publishers, London.
   
3. The Environment Agency (1998) 'Look-up' chart of species and their legal status. Species and Habitats Handbook. The Environment Agency, Bristol.
   
4. Buczacki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
   
5. The Herpetological Conservation Trust- common toad fact-sheet (January 2003):
   http://www.hcontrst.f9.co.uk
   
6. Amphibia Web (January 2003):
   http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/search/index.html