What makes a toad a toad

They differ from most frogs because they have dry skin, warts, crests behind the eyes, and parotoid glands. The parotoid glands produce a poisonous secretion that helps the toad defend itself from predators.

This substance, called a bufotoxin, can cause death in small animals and allergic reactions in humans. Toads have other ways to avoid being eaten too. Toads also puff up their bodies in an attempt to look bigger and inedible if a predator is nearby. The smallest North American toad is the oak toad Bufo quercicus , which reaches a length of only 1.

Cane toads Rhinella marina are the largest toads and grow up to 9 inches 23 centimeters in length. Many toad species live throughout the United States. Toads are found on every continent, excluding Antarctica. Adult toads generally prefer moist, open habitats like fields and grasslands.

The American toad Anaxyrus americanus is a common garden species that eats harmful insects and can be seen in backyards in the Northeast. Predators of toads include snakes, raccoons , and birds of prey. Like frogs, most toads eat insects and other arthropods.

However, some species eat reptiles , small mammals , and even other amphibians. Each species of toad has a unique call.

Males use their call to attract females for mating or to keep other males away from their territory. After toad eggs are fertilized, most hatch into tadpoles before becoming fully grown adults.

Instead of legs, tadpoles have tails for swimming and gills to breathe underwater. Learn more. Skip to main content Skip to acknowledgement of country Skip to footer There are more than 50 families of frogs and toads, grouped together in the order Anura. Toggle Caption Despite its smooth skin and bright colours, the Manauense Harlequin Toad Atelopus manauensis from Brazil is a true toad member of the family Bufonidae. Toggle Caption The Wrinkled Toadlet Uperoleia rugosa , is not a true toad despite the name and appearance.

Related information How can you tell the difference between a Cane Toad and a native Australian frog species? Back to top. Search website Submit Search. Close Modal Dialog. Frog skin is usually smooth and moist.

Toad skin is drier and bumpier. The bumps look like warts and feel rough to the touch. Yellow banded dart frogs. Phone by Kellee Wolowitz. Frogs lay eggs in bunches, or clusters, which have a jelly-like substance around them. Toads lay their eggs in lines or strands on the leaves of plants that live in the water. Green and black dart frog eggs on a leaf. Green and black dart frog tadpoles developing inside eggs.

Panamanian golden frog actually a toad with eggs. Photo by John Adamski. Panamanian golden frog tadpoles. These are the basic differences between frogs and toads, but things can still get confusing! The Zoo houses Panamanian golden frogs in the Main Building, and although they have frog in their name, they are actually toads!