All About Toads
Designed for life on land: Toads possess dry, warty skin and a large, robust body.
What Are Toads?
Toads are amphibians. Although they belong to the family of frogs, they look quite different from them. Instead of having moist skin, they have dry, warty skin. Their legs are much shorter, and their bodies are very large and strong. This is why they do not hop; they walk. Toads spend a lot of time on land but require moist areas or water bodies for breeding. Many species can protect themselves from predators with toxic substances in their skin.
Main Characteristics of Toads
- There are more than 650 species of toads.
- Toads, just like frogs and fire-bellied toads, are part of the amphibian group known as Anura.
- The Anura order includes 6,500 species, which means that there are nine times as many frogs as toads.
- Toads have a stocky, round body shape and a thick belly.
- Compared to frogs, they have very short legs. Especially the hind legs are much shorter.
- Toads do not jump. They move around on all fours because their bodies are too heavy and their legs are too weak.
- Toads have a dry, leathery skin covered in numerous warts and bumps.
- It is said that touching a toad causes warts. That is not true.
- They spend most of their time on land and adapt well to dryness.
- Therefore, they do not have webbing between their fingers.
- The Colorado river toad can even handle extreme dryness: it resides in the Sonoran Desert in the USA.
- The Colorado river toad is also the only toad that produces a substance in its glands that has a hallucinogenic effect on humans.
- Toads are carnivores. They primarily feed on insects, worms, snails, and woodlice.
- They are active during twilight and at night. During the day, they rest.
- Not all toads start their lives as tadpoles and undergo metamorphosis to become adult animals.
- In Tanzania, there are toads whose offspring emerge from the eggs already fully developed.
- In Germany, the common toad is the most prevalent species. It is also the largest in Europe.
- The cane toad is the largest toad in the world. It measures 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) in length and weighs 18-28 ounces (500-800 grams). Some particularly large individuals can even reach lengths of 15 inches (38 cm) and weigh up to 6 pounds (2.7 kg).
- The American toad is the most common toad found in the USA and Canada. Also frequently seen are the Colorado river toad, the Texas toad, and the Wyoming toad.
- The smallest toad is the Beira toad (Bufo taitanus beiranus). It reaches a maximum length of 0.94 inches (24 mm).
Toad Family Tree
Top 3 Features of Toads
1. Dry, Warty Skin
Toads do not have smooth, moist skin like frogs. This is because they have adapted to life on land. What appears to be warts are actually glands. In most toads, a toxic fluid is secreted from these glands. Therefore, it is advisable not to handle toads.
2. Short Legs, Strong Body
Toads are easily recognizable at first glance. While frogs have long, slender legs, toads have very short ones. Even though their legs are quite strong, they cannot jump because their bodies are too large and heavy.
3. Metamorphosis
Toads hatch as tadpoles from eggs. They live in water and initially have gills. Gradually, legs grow, and the gills transform into lungs. This process is known as metamorphosis. However, not all toads undergo metamorphosis to become adults. In Tanzania, there are toads whose young emerge from the eggs already fully developed.
