Toads are fascinating animals that feature unique behaviors and characteristics. They are calm, captivating, and charismatic, toads have long been creatures of fascination and folktales. But these humble amphibians have far more to offer than just fodder for fairy tales.
Keep reading while we reveal 10 fun facts about toad that demonstrate their
unique allure and importance in the ecosystem.
10 fun facts about toads
1. Toads are Amphibians
First things first, toads are a type of amphibian, much like their close relatives, the frogs. The word “amphibian” comes from a Greek term meaning “double life,” which aptly describes the toad’s life cycle that involves living both on land and in water.
Like frogs, toads are amphibians. They differ from most frogs because they have dry skin, warts, crests behind the eyes, and parotoid glands.
2. There are over 500 Species of Toads
The toad family is diverse and widespread, with over 500 species spanning the globe. These species can be found everywhere from deserts and forests to marshes and mountainous regions.Toads mostly fit into the family Bufonidae, whose more than 500 species are considered “true toads.” Bufonidae is the only all-toad family in the order Anura, but other toads are included in the families Bombinatoridae, Microhylidae, Myobatrachidae, Calyptocephalellidae, Discoglossidae, Pelobatidae, Rhinophrynidae, and Scaphiopodidae.
3. They Have Unique Defense Mechanisms
Toad has a poisonous glands located behind their eyes. 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. If they’re brown or green in color, they can blend into their surroundings and escape detection. If brightly colored, they warn predators to stay away because they’re poisonous. Toads also puff up their bodies in an attempt to look bigger and inedible if a predator is nearby.
4. Toads Have a Varied Diet
A toad’s diet is interestingly varied. Toads belong to the carnivore group and survive by capturing and eating live prey. Like humans, toads require a perfectly balanced diet.
Toads eat a wide variety of foods. Normally they consume four to six spiders, worms, or crickets every few days.
Toads are generally small, and they don’t grow more than 4 or 5 inches in length. Because of their size, they can’t eat large living creatures.
Generally, you can observe that the larger the toad, the bigger its food chain will be. Larger toad species, such as cane toads, can devour rodents. This diverse diet makes them valuable for pest control.
If you have toads in your yard, be glad they’ll help your garden and lawn grow by keeping the insect population down.
5. Toads are Nocturnal Creatures
Toads are typically nocturnal creatures, although they sometimes pop out of their burrows during the day. They don’t come out year-round; they venture out during the warmer months of late spring, summer and early fall. They spend the colder winter months snuggled deep inside underground burrows, hibernating until the next warm night beckons. Juvenile toads and those that live in high elevations are more likely to come out during the day than adult toads or those in hot climates, whose skin might dry out quickly in the sun.
6. The Largest Toad is the Cane Toad
Considered the largest species in the Bufonidae, the cane toad is very large; the females are significantly longer than males, reaching a typical length of 10–15 cm (4–6 in), with a maximum of 24 cm (9.4 in). Larger toads tend to be found in areas of lower population density.
These roads often leads to ecological problems due to their voracious appetite.
7. Toads are Excellent Jumpers
Despite their short legs, toads are excellent jumpers. They use their strong, muscular legs to take long hops rather than the long, high jumps typical of frogs.
8. How Toad Babies Are Made
During mating season, toads gather near vernal pools, ponds, creeks, flooded ditches and even rain puddles. Male toads, like frogs, sing or call to attract mates, with each species making its own distinct sounds. After mating, the females leave egg sacs in the water. Depending on the species, one female toad can produce up to 30,000 eggs in her life. Ideally, after the eggs hatch, tadpoles can find food and safety in the water until they metamorphose into adults.
9. Toads Have Been Featured in Folklore and Literature
Toads have long been featured in folklore, mythology, and literature. From the toad’s starring role in the famous fairy tale “The Frog Prince” to being the faithful companion of Hogwarts’ Neville Longbottom in “Harry Potter,” these charming creatures have leaped into our imaginations and stories, enhancing their mystique.
10. Toads Sing a Unique Song
Male toads are known for their unique calls or “songs” used to attract females during the breeding season. Each species has a distinct call that can be heard during warm, rainy nights.
Conclusion
So there you have it, when next time you spot a toad, remember there’s more to these humble creatures than meets the eye they’re small animals with big stories to tell.
