The Midwife Toad (Alytes obstetricans), a small amphibian found in the dunes along the Pas-de-Calais coast in northern France, has a unique way of reproducing that sets it apart from most other frogs and toads. Instead of the typical method where females lay their eggs in water and leave them to develop on their own, the male Midwife Toad takes on the role of carrying the eggs. After fertilization, the male wraps between 30 and 60 eggs around his legs and body, holding them for about a month until they hatch into tadpoles. This unusual behavior highlights the species' distinctive approach to parental care. During this time, the male toad must balance the need to keep the eggs moist with the demands of survival. The eggs require hydration to prevent them from drying out, so the male frequently moves to find more suitable, damp areas. To protect the eggs from the heat, he may partially bury himself in the ground or hide under stones and plant debris during the hottest parts of the day. This careful behavior ensures the survival of the next generation, even as the male continues to hunt and move through his environment. The Midwife Toad is well adapted to drier, mineral-rich habitats such as the dune pans of Pas-de-Calais. These are shallow, humid depressions found between dunes, offering warm and sunny conditions that the species prefers. While the toad can also be found in heaths, dry grasslands, bogs, and some agricultural areas, its reproduction does not primarily take place in the water sources it uses, which range from slow-flowing rivers to small ponds. As a sentinel species, the Midwife Toad serves as an indicator of the health of dune ecosystems. It is protected under Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, a European law aimed at preserving species of community interest. While the species is not currently considered threatened in France as a whole, its populations in mountainous regions are more vulnerable to environmental changes. Coastal and lowland populations, however, seem to be doing well, benefiting from habitats that have remained relatively undisturbed.