# Spiny Toad (*Bufo spinosus*) The Spiny Toad is a unique little creature with bumpy skin and spines that help protect it. It loves to hop around in damp places and can be found near ponds and streams. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Spiny Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo_bufo_spinosus_2.png&width=800) Photo: Dimitri Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_bufo_spinosus_2.png) ## Appearance The Spiny Toad is a large, stout amphibian with rough, warty skin that ranges from brown to olive-green or grey. It has prominent, kidney-shaped parotoid glands behind its golden, horizontally slit eyes. Its body is covered in small, spiny bumps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Bufo ## Interesting facts - During winter, Spiny Toads hibernate by burying themselves in mud or under logs for months! - Male Spiny Toads have special bumpy thumbs to help them hold onto females during mating! - Sometimes, a Spiny Toad will shed its entire skin and then eat it to recover nutrients! - These toads often have beautiful golden eyes with striking horizontal pupils. ## Special abilities - **Poisonous Defense:** Spiny Toads can release a milky poison from glands behind their eyes that helps them deter predators. - **Night Vision:** Spiny Toads have large golden eyes with horizontal pupils that help them spot prey in low-light conditions. - **Water Absorber:** Spiny Toads can absorb water directly through special patches on their skin, rather than drinking. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2000-10000 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding Spiny Toads are mighty hunters who mostly eat creepy crawlies they find on land. - **Age differences:** Young tadpoles graze on algae and detritus, while adult toads hunt insects and other invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Slugs, Beetles, Spiders, Crickets, Ants - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Viperine Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/viperine-snake) (*Natrix maura*) — These snakes prey on toad tadpoles and juveniles. - **Eats:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Hedgehogs are immune to toad toxins and frequently hunt them. - **Hunts:** [Earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source, the toad catches worms with its sticky tongue. - **Hunts:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Slugs are slow-moving prey, easily caught by toads. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch toads without asking an adult, as some can be sensitive to handling. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spiny Toad? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Spiny Toad? 10-18 cm ### How much does Spiny Toad weigh? 0.05-0.25 kg ### How long does Spiny Toad live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Spiny Toad move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Spiny Toad eat? Spiny Toads are mighty hunters who mostly eat creepy crawlies they find on land. ### Where is Spiny Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Spiny Toad hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Spiny Toad: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spiny-toad)