Toads are fascinating and resilient creatures found throughout the United States, each species adapted to unique habitats and climates. These frequently asked question about toads cover everything from their conservation status and distinct calls to their behavior and ecological roles. Whether you’re curious about their sounds, habitat preferences, or role in local ecosystems, this guide sheds light on the intriguing lives of toads across the country.
1. How Are Toads Different from Frogs?
The main difference between toads and frogs is that toads have dry skin with warts. They also have crests behind their eyes and short hind legs. Unlike frogs, toads can puff up their bodies to look bigger when they see predators. Toads also lay their eggs in chains, but frogs lay them in clusters.
2. Are Toads Poisonous?
Yes, many toad species are poisonous to eat, though the level of toxicity varies by species. Most toads in the U.S., including the American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus), secrete toxins from parotid glands behind their eyes as a defense. These toxins, known as bufotoxins, can cause irritation if ingested or touched, affecting both predators and humans with symptoms like burning eyes, nausea, or skin irritation. However, bufotoxins from American Toads are generally mild and unlikely to be fatal to larger animals or pets, though they may still cause illness or discomfort if consumed.
The Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) is an exception with much more potent toxins, posing a serious risk to animals and pets. While bufotoxins in American Toads serve as a deterrent, many animals have adapted ways to consume these toads safely. Some predators, like the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, have developed resistance to bufotoxins, while birds like herons and mammals like raccoons may avoid the poison glands or consume only the least toxic parts. These strategies enable certain animals to prey on toads despite their toxic defenses.
3. What Do Toads Eat?
Most toads eat insects and small invertebrates. However, Fowler’s toads will not eat earthworms. A standard-sized toad can eat around 3,200 insects per season, making them great for garden pest control. When they are tadpoles, they are herbivores and eat soft plant material or algae.
4. What Predators Eat Toads?
Toads face a variety of predators, including raccoons, snakes, large fish, snapping turtles, and birds of prey like hawks and owls. Some mammals, such as skunks and foxes, also hunt toads.
To avoid being eaten, many toad species have evolved defenses: they secrete toxins from glands behind their eyes to deter predators, puff up to appear larger, or play dead to confuse attackers. Despite these defenses, young toads and tadpoles are particularly vulnerable, as their toxins are less developed than those of adult toads.
5. Are Toads in the United States Endangered?
Several toad species in the U.S. face critical conservation challenges:
- Wyoming Toad (Anaxyrus baxteri): Endangered since 1984, once abundant in southeastern Wyoming. Populations declined sharply due to disease, habitat loss, and pesticides. By 2020, around 677 individuals were kept in captivity for conservation.
- Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis): Endangered since 1970, found in Texas. Habitat loss and droughts have severely impacted its numbers. As of 2021, fewer than 250 adults are estimated to remain in the wild.
- Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus): Listed as endangered, native to California and Baja California. Populations have declined due to habitat alteration and water management practices. Stable populations exist in areas with consistent surface water.
- Yosemite Toad (Anaxyrus canorus): Listed as threatened since 2014, native to California’s Sierra Nevada. Declines are linked to disease and environmental changes, with an estimated 50% range reduction over recent decades.
- Boreal Toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas): Populations in Colorado and Wyoming are considered threatened due to disease, particularly chytrid fungus, which has led to severe declines in many areas since the 1990s.
6. What Types of Sounds Do Toads Make?
Toads produce a range of calls depending on the species. Fowler’s Toads emit a nasal “waa” or bleat, often likened to the sound of sheep. Eastern American Toads have a musical, extended trill that can last up to 30 seconds. These sounds are typically used by males to attract mates and assert their territory, creating a variety of unique calls across species.
7. Can You Get Warts From Toads?
No, you cannot. Warts are caused by a virus that can only be transferred to humans from another human, not from toads. However, it would be best if you always washed your hands after handling a toad due to the bufotoxin.
8. Can Toads Swim?
Yes, toads can swim, even though the water is usually puddles or shallow streams. Toads are dependent on water, especially to reproduce and lay eggs. However, toads can survive longer without water compared to other frogs. This is why you can find toads further away from bodies of water.
9. Do Toads Hibernate?
Not exactly. Toads brumate during the winter months to conserve energy. Brumation is similar to hibernation, but what cold-blooded animals do. To brumate, toads will burrow into the ground, under leaves, or logs. The Eastern American toad is known to keep burrowing deeper into the ground as days get colder.
10. Can Chemicals Kill Toads?
Yes, they can! Toads are thin-skinned and can easily be harmed or killed by chemicals in everyday products harmless to us. Examples include soap, sunscreen, and insect repellents. So, make sure not to handle a toad if you have these on your hands.
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