Toads are amphibians belonging to the order Anura (meaning “without tail”), a characteristic they share with all frogs. These stout-bodied creatures begin their lives as aquatic tadpoles before undergoing metamorphosis to become primarily terrestrial adults. Found on every continent except Antarctica, toads demonstrate a remarkable global distribution, thriving in diverse environments from arid grasslands to dense forests.
Physical Traits and Classification
The term “true toad” refers to members of the family Bufonidae, which includes over 300 species. A defining feature is their thick, dry, and bumpy skin, which helps them conserve moisture. These bumps are often mistakenly called warts, but they are actually aggregations of granular glands that produce defensive secretions.
Toads generally have a stocky build and notably short hind legs, which contrasts sharply with the long, powerful limbs of many frog species. This anatomy restricts their movement to a slow walk or short, hopping gait rather than the long leaps associated with frogs. Behind the eyes, true toads possess large, noticeable swellings known as parotoid glands. These glands are a defining feature of the Bufonidae family and are specialized for defense. All true toads are also toothless.
How Toads Differ from Frogs
While all toads are taxonomically considered a type of frog, common names distinguish them based on physical and ecological differences. The most immediate difference lies in the skin texture: toads have dry, warty skin that is rough to the touch, while most frogs have smooth, moist, and often slimy skin. A toad’s rough skin makes them more resilient to dehydration than their smooth-skinned relatives.
Locomotion and body structure are also differentiating factors. Toads feature a broad, squat body and short legs, allowing them to move by walking or taking small hops. Conversely, frogs typically have a more slender body shape and long, powerful hind legs designed for leaping and swimming. Furthermore, a toad’s toes are generally unwebbed or only slightly webbed, reflecting their terrestrial lifestyle, whereas frogs often have extensively webbed feet for efficient movement in water.
These anatomical differences dictate their preferred habitats. Most frogs are aquatic or semi-aquatic, needing to remain close to a permanent water source to keep their permeable skin moist. Toads, with their thicker skin, are significantly more terrestrial and can often be found in fields, gardens, and forests, only returning to water briefly to breed.
Habitats, Diet, and Defense
Toads are nocturnal, spending the daylight hours concealed under logs, rocks, or in shallow burrows they dig to escape the heat and conserve moisture. This behavior allows them to survive in environments like open grasslands and deserts, where permanent water may be scarce.
As adults, toads are primarily insectivores. They are ambush predators with a sticky, muscular tongue that they can rapidly flick out to capture prey, which includes a wide variety of insects, worms, and spiders.
The prominent parotoid glands located behind a toad’s eyes are a specialized defense mechanism, secreting a potent, milky substance known as bufotoxin when the animal is stressed or attacked. This complex chemical cocktail acts as a neurotoxin that is highly distasteful and can cause a range of adverse effects, from intense irritation to serious harm or death in smaller predators. The common folklore that touching a toad can give a person warts is a myth, but the bufotoxin can cause skin irritation if handled and should be washed off immediately.