Toads are my favorite amphibian and there truly are some fascinating facts about them. I have been interested in toads ever since I found some in my backyard as a kid and I have learned so much about them since then.
Toads are amphibians that are part of the order of Anura, more specifically members of the Bufonidae Family. Toads can be found almost everywhere on Earth, and the largest toad species is the Cane Toad.
Letās drive into some awesome toad facts so you can differentiate toads from frogs, know more about how they interact with other species, or just impress your friends with your toad-based knowledge.
Facts About Toads vs Frogs
1. Toads have dry, warty skin, and short legs.
2. Toads are born in water and live on land as adults.
3. Toads only go back to the water to breed during mating season.
4. Many toads have glands that secrete poison behind their eyes.
5. Toads can only hop whereas frogs can jump.
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6. Toads lay eggs in strings, whereas frogs lay eggs in clusters.
7. Toads are generally shades of brown to camouflage with their surroundings.
8. Some frogs have teeth but toads have no teeth.
9. Toads do not have hair but the Wolverine Frog has a hair-like structure that are actually more like external gills.
10. Toads have broad noses, whereas frogs noses are generally more pointy.
11. Frogs generally have webbed feet whereas toads often have spaded or fingered feet.
12. Frogs and toads can breathe through their skin.
Learn more about the differences between frogs and toads on our blog
Fascinating General Toad Facts
13. Toads do not like to be handled by humans.
14. You wonāt get warts from touching a toad (but wash your hands).
15. You wonāt get warts from a toad peeing on you (but wash your hands).
16. Toads can lay 600 to over 30,000 eggs depending on the species.
17. Many toads eat their own skin to cover their tracks from predators.
18. There are over 300 toad species.
19. A Group of Toads is Called a āKnotā
20. Toads are mostly ambush predators, meaning they sit and wait for food to come to them.
21. Toads hibernate underground during the Winter.
22. Female toads make a sound to warn male toads they have already laid their eggs and do not want to mate. Their sound is enough to make them go away.
23. In the Wild, toads live 5 to 10 years, but they can live up to 40 years in captivity.
Facts About Australiaās Invasive Cane Toads
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25. Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) were introduced to Australia in 1935 to kill pests that eat sugarcane crops. But Cane Toads are poisonous and ferocious predators that prey on local species.
26. Cane Toads are now invasive in many countries around the world.
27. Cane Toads are poisonous and can be fatal to humans.
28. Even Cane Toad eggs are poisonous to predators.
29. Cane Toads are the largest toad species weighing on average 450 g (1 lb).
30. The largest Cane Toad recorded was named āThe Princeā at 2.65 kg (5 lb 13 oz), and 53.9 cm (1 ft 91/4 in) when fully extended.
31. Female Cane Toads are longer than males.
32. Cane Toads are also called Marine Toads because their tadpoles can survive in certain degrees of saltwater.
Learn more about Cane Toads on our blog
Facts About Toads Around The World
33. Toads are found on all continents except for Antarctica and some remote islands.
34. American Toads can often be found in peopleās back yards and gardens.
35. Toads can carry Salmonella which they can transfer to humans and pets.
36. Toads like to live in damp, leafy, grassy, shady environments.
37. Oak Toads can be found in Florida and have a distinctive line on their backs.
38. Toad poison is used in shamanic practices in some parts of the world like Mexico.
39. The Arroyo Toad and Bufo Nelsoni are two endangered toad species (CTNF).
40. In some cultures, toad poison was used to treat various sicknesses.
41. The Common Surinam Toad which can be found in parts of South America carries its eggs on its back.
Questions Related to Toads
How Long Can Toads Live For? Toads can live up to 40 years, however, their life expectancy tends to be longer in captivity than in wild due to there being more predators and sicknesses in the wild.
Do Toads Eat Their Own Skin? Toads naturally shed their skin and may eat it to cover their tracks from predators. Eating their own skin allows toads to avoid being found.
Do Toads Have Hair? Toads do not have hair, however, they do have warts which can help differentiate them from frogs. There is a frog that has a hair-like structure on itās body that helps it breathe, and it is known as the Wolverine Frog.
Why do Toads Scream When Touched? Toads may scream when touched because they feel like they are in danger. They may also puff up and scream to scare predators or look too big for them to eat.
Where do Toads Like to Live? Toad eggs and tadpoles live in water, but once thy are toadlets and adults, toads like to live on land in damp, leafy, grassy, shady environments. American Toads can often be found in peopleās back yards and gardens.
Are Toads Dangerous to Humans? Toads can be dangerous to humans if their poison gets into the bloodstream. Cane Toad poison can be fatal to humans. Avoid skin to skin contact when handling a toad, wash your hands throughly or wear gloves.
Sources
Guinness World Records | Largest Toad
Science Direct: A Hot Knot of Toads
Bergeron, Alain M., et al. Les Crapauds. Ćditions Michel Quintin, 2008.
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