Toads are amphibians, but their relationship with water differs from many other species. They primarily live on land, with adaptations allowing them to thrive away from constant aquatic habitats. Water remains important for specific life cycle stages, especially reproduction.
Where Toads Live
Adult toads inhabit terrestrial environments like gardens, forests, and fields. They are found in areas with loose soil, leaf litter, or under rocks and logs, which provide shelter and moisture. Their drier, warty skin helps them retain moisture more effectively than smoother-skinned amphibians, allowing them to venture farther from water sources.
Toads do not drink water in the conventional sense, but instead absorb moisture directly through their skin. They possess a specialized area on their belly and thighs, often called a “seat patch,” which is highly permeable for efficient water uptake from damp soil or dew. This unique absorption method enables them to hydrate from moist surfaces without needing to submerge. Toads also exhibit burrowing behaviors, using their strong hind limbs to dig into the earth. This burrowing helps them escape extreme temperatures, conserve moisture, and hide from predators, allowing them to remain active even in drier conditions.
The Role of Water in a Toad’s Life
Despite their terrestrial lifestyle, water is essential for toads during breeding. Most species return to water bodies like ponds, temporary pools, or slow-moving streams to lay eggs. Males often arrive first, using calls to attract mates. During mating, the male grasps the female in amplexus, and she releases eggs for external fertilization.
Toad eggs are laid in long, gelatinous strings, often wrapped around aquatic vegetation. These hatch into aquatic larvae called tadpoles, which have gills for breathing and tails for swimming. The tadpole stage is entirely aquatic, developing over weeks to months depending on species and water temperature. After this phase, tadpoles metamorphose, developing limbs, losing gills and tails, and transforming into tiny toadlets ready for terrestrial life.
Toads Versus Frogs
Toads are often confused with frogs, but they have distinguishing characteristics. Toads have dry, bumpy, warty skin, which helps prevent dehydration and offers camouflage in terrestrial environments. Frogs, in contrast, typically have smooth, moist, or slimy skin that aids oxygen absorption and suits their more aquatic or semi-aquatic lifestyles.
Their body shape and leg length also differ. Toads have stockier bodies and shorter hind legs, suited for walking or short hops, unlike the long leaps of many frogs. Frogs, with long, powerful hind legs, are adapted for jumping and swimming efficiently both on land and in water. While both amphibians require water for reproduction, adult toads spend less time in water than many frog species, preferring habitats farther from permanent water bodies.