# Spotted Toad (*Rhaebo guttatus*) The Spotted Toad is a unique amphibian with beautiful spots on its skin. It loves to hop around in moist areas and is often found near ponds and streams. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Spotted Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo_guttatus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andreas Schlüter, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_guttatus.jpg) ## Appearance The Spotted Toad is a large, sturdy amphibian, typically brown to gray with darker irregular spots and warty skin. It has prominent reddish-orange glands behind its eyes, making it visually distinct from smooth-skinned frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Rhaebo ## Interesting facts - Some toads, like this one, can live for over 10 years in the wild, which is ancient for an amphibian! - Their powerful hind legs aren't just for hopping; they are super digging tools for hiding! - They swell up like a balloon when threatened, making themselves too big for some predators to swallow! - Toads don't drink water with their mouths; they soak it up through their skin like a sponge! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Defense:** Spotted Toad has special glands behind its eyes that produce a milky toxin, helping protect them from predators. - **Sticky Tongue Strike:** Spotted Toad can quickly flick out its long, sticky tongue to snatch unsuspecting insects for a meal. - **Burrow Master:** Spotted Toad has strong hind legs and bony spades on its feet to dig backwards and burrow into the soil. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5000-20000 - **Metamorphosis:** 30-70 days ## Diet & Feeding This hungry amphibian eats many creepy crawlies to stay strong and healthy! - **Age differences:** Young tadpoles are detritivores, filtering algae and decaying matter, while adults are carnivores. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, worms, spiders, crickets, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Ring-necked Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ring-necked-snake) (*Leptodeira annulata*) — This nocturnal snake preys on amphibians, including toads. - **Eaten by:** [Black Vulture](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-vulture) (*Coragyps atratus*) — Vultures may scavenge on sick or injured toads. - **Eats:** German Cockroach (*Blattella germanica*) — The toad helps control populations of various insects. - **Eats:** Red-footed Ant (*Camponotus rufipes*) — An important predator of many ground-dwelling invertebrates. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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 Always wash your hands after touching a toad, as their skin can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spotted 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 Spotted Toad? 10-18 cm ### How much does Spotted Toad weigh? 0.1-0.5 kg ### How long does Spotted Toad live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Spotted Toad move? 1 km/h ### What does Spotted Toad eat? This hungry amphibian eats many creepy crawlies to stay strong and healthy! ### Where is Spotted Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Spotted 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: [Spotted Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-toad)