Encountering a toad often raises concerns about its toxicity, especially for those described as “red.” While not all toads are highly toxic, some species possess potent defense mechanisms that can cause significant harm upon contact or ingestion. Understanding genuinely dangerous toads and their toxins is important for safety in environments where these amphibians reside.
Clarifying “Red Toads”
The term “red toad” is descriptive, not scientific, as toad coloration varies widely, often including shades of brown, olive, or gray, with some exhibiting reddish hues or spots. The Colorado River Toad (Sonoran Desert Toad, Incilius alvarius), a species associated with significant toxicity, can have a reddish-brown appearance. This large toad, found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, is recognized by its smooth skin and prominent parotoid glands behind its eyes. While typically olive green or mottled brown, some individuals have reddish undertones.
The Red-Spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus) is characterized by distinctive red spots or tubercles on its olive to tan body. While it secretes toxins, its venom is generally mild for humans, though it can irritate pets. Therefore, identifying a toad by its “red” coloration alone is misleading, as toxicity varies greatly by species.
Understanding Toad Toxins
Toxic toads secrete toxins from specialized glands, primarily the parotoid glands behind their eyes, and other skin glands. These glands release a milky-white substance containing bufadienolides and bufotoxins.
Bufadienolides are cardiac glycosides that affect heart function. They inhibit the Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme, crucial for cell function, especially in the heart. This inhibition increases intracellular calcium, causing irregular heart rhythms, slow heartbeat (bradycardia), or other cardiac abnormalities.
Bufotoxins can also include tryptamine-related substances, which may have neurological effects. The potency and composition of these toxins vary among species and populations, influencing symptom severity upon exposure.
Recognizing Exposure and Seeking Help
Toad toxin exposure causes symptoms varying by toxin amount and species. In pets, especially dogs, common immediate signs include excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, pawing at the face, vomiting, and reddened gums. As toxins are absorbed, more serious symptoms can develop, such as disorientation, stumbling, muscle tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, and abnormal heart rhythms. In severe cases, cardiac arrest and death can occur rapidly, sometimes within minutes.
For humans, symptoms can include numbness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and hallucinations. Cardiac effects, such as irregular heartbeats or changes in heart rate, are also possible.
Immediate action is crucial if exposure occurs. For pets, rinse the mouth with a wet cloth or running water, tilting the head downwards to prevent aspiration. Avoid forceful hoses. Seek veterinary attention promptly for symptom management and heart support.
For humans, wash affected skin with soap and water for 15-20 minutes, and flush eyes with cool running water if contact occurs. If symptoms develop, contact a poison control center or seek medical attention immediately.
Coexisting Safely with Toads
Minimizing toad toxin exposure requires proactive measures in populated areas. Supervising outdoor pets, especially during evening hours or after rain when toads are most active, helps prevent encounters.
Toads are attracted to water and insects. Secure pet food and water bowls, remove standing water, and keep outdoor lights off at night to reduce their presence. Maintaining a short lawn and clearing dense ground cover or debris makes your yard less appealing by removing hiding spots and reducing insect populations.
Physical barriers, like solid fencing extending to the ground, deter toads. Dense planting or shrubs along borders also act as deterrents, as toads prefer clear pathways.
Avoid handling toads directly. If necessary, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward to prevent skin irritation or accidental toxin ingestion. These strategies help ensure safety while coexisting with local amphibian populations.