True Toads

Bufonidae

True toads are bumpy-skinned frogs that love to hop around! They can be found in many places and are known for their loud croaking sounds, especially at night.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The True Toads have robust bodies and characteristically dry, warty skin, often appearing in shades of brown, green, or grey for camouflage. They typically possess horizontal pupils and prominent parotoid glands behind their eyes, which are distinct from the smooth skin of frogs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyBufonidae

True Toads

Interesting facts

Instead of jumping, many true toads walk or take short, deliberate hops.

Some toads hibernate underground or aestivate during hot, dry periods.

They absorb water through their skin, so they don't need to drink with their mouths.

Toad eggs are laid in long, jelly-like strings, not in clumps like most frogs.

Special abilities

True Toads have special glands behind their eyes that release a milky poison, helping them defend against predators.

True Toads can swallow their prey whole using their sticky tongues because they do not possess teeth to chew food.

True Toads can dig themselves backward into soft soil with strong hind legs, which helps them hide and escape heat.

Measurements & details

Length: 2-20 cm
Weight: 0.01-1 kg
Lifespan: 5-15 years
Top Speed: 2 km/h
Clutch Size: 2000-30000
Metamorphosis: 30-90 days

Diet & Feeding

They mostly eat insects and other small invertebrates they can swallow whole.

Age differences: Tadpoles are primarily detritivores, feeding on algae and decaying matter.

Primary Foods

crickets
beetles
worms
slugs
spiders

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

A common predator of toads.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Known to eat amphibians.

hunts

Field Cricket

Gryllus assimilis

A primary insect prey.

hunts

Spanish Slug

Arion vulgaris

Toads consume various slugs.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

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.