Fun Toad Facts For Kids

A variety of toads exhibit different features, sizes, and colors, but overall 'toad' is a common name given to a group of amphibians that belong to the family Bufonidae. Their main characteristics are dry and leathery skin, thick short legs, warts, or large bumps that cover their parotoid glands. Toads and frogs are very similar and both belong to the order Anura. Biologically, toads and frogs are the same, however, some key features make them two distinct animals. If you compare frogs vs toads, frogs have wetter, smoother skin, and longer legs. The skin of toads is drier, is covered with warts, and has a leathery texture, and they can live at a comparatively further distance away from a water body.

There are various types of toads, some of the most well-known are common toads, cane toads, American toads, Colorado River toads, golden toads, Asiatic toads, and oriental fire-bellied toads. Some are brightly colored, like oriental fire-bellied toads, and some are dull, like Fowler’s toads, cane toads, natterjack toads, and western toads. Cane toads are giant neotropical toads or marine toads. They are the largest, terrestrial true toad (Bufo). Large cane toads, native to South and Central America have been also introduced to Oceania and the Caribbean. Adults, as well as tadpoles, of the cane toad species, are venomous. Cane toads are highly poisonous, especially for dogs. American toads are the most common toad (Bufo) species found in the United States and Canada. Its subspecies, eastern American toads, dwarf American toads, and the rare Hudson Bay toads are all believed to be ancestors of different toads from South America.

Toads, unlike frogs, secrete a poisonous substance from their parotoid glands to protect themselves from predators like birds and snakes. Some frogs are highly poisonous too and the golden poison frogs are perhaps one of the most venomous animals in the world.

Check out more fact files on the spadefoot toad and the American toad here.

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What type of animal are toads?

Toads are similar to frogs with some distinct features that separate them. Toads of different species look different. For example, the cane toad looks different to the American toad. These animals from the order Anura have warts on their bodies, are poisonous, and survive by eating worms, insects, and mollusks.

What class of animal do toads belong to?

True toads (or Bufo toads) are amphibians.

How many toads are there in the world?

It is difficult to say exactly how many toads of each variety are there in the world but it is estimated there are billions of toads in the world!

Where do toads live?

Toads live in swampy lands, forests, woodlands, grasslands, and gardens. Toads are considered gardener’s friends as they eat slugs and snails.

What is a toad's habitat?

Toads like to live in areas that have dense foliage. Forests, open countryside, parks, gardens, and fields are their ideal habitats. These nocturnal animals hide in their burrows under leaves, loose soil, and stones during the day. They like dark, damp areas, and are comfortable on land as well as water. This cold-blooded amphibian is poikilothermous, or exothermic, which means their body temperature depends on the external environmental temperature. They do not like to live in bright light and prefer dark corners.

Who do toads live with?

Toads are mostly solitary animals. They come together in the breeding season like frogs when large numbers of Bufo toads congregate on breeding ponds. This forms a battleground with male toads making loud croaking sounds to attract females. Frogs and toads show similar kinds of social behavior.

How long do toads live?

Different toad species have different lifespans. The American toads live for five to 10 years in the wild, whilst oriental fire-bellied toads can live up to 20 years in their natural habitats. The fire-bellied toad's habitat spreads from northeastern China to North and South Korea, and some regions of Russia. Cane toads have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

How do they reproduce?

Female frogs and toads both lay eggs in water and males fertilizes them externally. The eggs hatch into tadpoles and follow a cycle before developing into full-grown, mature toads. Frogs and toads all around the world need a safe body of water to lay eggs in. They look for undisturbed, hidden spots during their breeding season as they want to prevent their eggs from being preyed on by predators. Some exceptional toad species even breed on land!

Although their habits and breeding style are almost the same, frog eggs and toad eggs look different. Frog eggs float in round clusters on the surface of the water whilst toad eggs remain attached to leaves and blades of grass near the edge of the water. Their eggs are arranged in parallel long strands resembling round black beads.

The number of eggs female toads lay depends on the particular species. A fire-bellied toad female may lay up to 200 eggs at a time and some can lay up to 3,000 eggs at one time. Their eggs usually hatch within a week, when tiny, black tadpoles hatch in the water. The tadpoles complete a maturity cycle called metamorphosis and are ready to venture onto dry land in about six to eight weeks. The breeding season is different for all toads and depends upon the climatic conditions of their habitats.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of most toad species is Least Concern but some toad species are listed as Threatened or even Endangered. Habitat loss, water pollution, and invasive species are some of the major threats which these Bufo amphibians face.

What do toads look like?

All toads don’t look the same but they share certain common features like warts on their skin, a leathery skin texture, and short legs. The most common toad species spotted in the United States is the giant tropical toad. American toads (Bufo americanus) are mostly found in eastern parts of the US and Canada. These toads have short legs and stout bodies and females are usually stouter than male toads. Southern native toads are generally larger than northern ones. A toad’s head is usually broader than a frog's and these animals have wide mouths and two tiny nostrils.

How cute are they?

Toads aren't typically seen as cute animals, however, many toad owners love their domesticated amphibian pets and think they are simply adorable!

How do they communicate?

Like human beings, frogs and toads also have a vocal cord. They have a vocal sac that inflates when they croak and acts as an amplifier. Before making any toad sounds, a toad breathes in air and closes its nostrils.

Every species of toad has a unique mating call to attract females of the same species, and toads and frogs not only croak loudly when they want to attract females but also when they are scared after being touched, or if they are angry. Usually, toad sounds act as danger signals, producing a high-pitched scream. Make toads screech louder than females and at night toads croak to signal other toads to stay away.

How big are toads?

Compared to a Chinese giant salamander (an amphibian) that weighs 55 - 66 lb (25-30 kg), the common toad is almost 28 times lighter as it weighs only 2–3 lb (0.9-1.4 kg). In size, the toad is 11 times smaller than a salamander, at 4-7 in (10.16cm-17.78 cm).

How fast can toads move?

A toad can move at the speed of 5 mph (8 kph).

How much do toads weigh?

Different toad species grow differently in size. Common toads may weigh up to 2 lb (0.9 kg) and cane toads may weigh up to 3 lb (1.4 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

Male and female toads have no specific names.

What would you call a baby toad?

Baby toads or young toads are called tadpoles.

What do they eat?

Toads and frogs eat small insects like beetles, ants, flies, earthworms, spiders, caterpillars, woodlice, slugs, and snails. They also prey on larger animals like young frogs, tiny mice, and newts. Some toad species also eat small reptiles and mammals and other amphibians. The common toad moves with short jumps and slow walks. The animal hides in its lair conspicuously all through the day and comes out at night to prey. Its small prey is caught by a tongue flick and larger prey is usually grabbed with its jaws. Since toads do not have teeth, they swallow their food whole in a few gulps.

Are they poisonous?

Most toads are poisonous but at different levels. Common toads store two toxic substances called bufotoxin and bufogin in their glands and warty skin. They secrete these liquids if they feel threatened. It is better to keep pet cats and dogs away from toads.

Would they make good pets?

Some toads can make good pets but owners have to be extremely careful while handling them due to their toxic discharges. Toads don't like to be held and children should never be allowed to handle pet toads alone without supervision. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet toad.

Did you know...

It’s a myth that touching a toad causes warts, but the toxic bufotoxin on their skin may irritate.

The smallest North American toad is the oak toad that’s only 1.3 in (3.3 cm) long. Cane toads are the largest at about 9 in (22.9 cm). The largest toad caught in Australia was nicknamed ‘Toadzilla’ for its huge size!

It might surprise you, but sugar toads are not toads. ‘Sugar toad’ is simply the nickname given to northern pufferfish found in bays and estuaries along the east coast of the USA. Again, horny toads (or horned toads) are not toads either. This is a nickname for horned lizards found in North America. The genus name of the horned lizard is Phrynosoma, meaning ‘toad-bodied’, hence the nickname horny toad.

Toads also have a popular video game inspired by them. 'Battle Toads' was developed by Rare in 1991. The game starred anthropomorphic toads Rash, Zitz, and Pimple.

Some people think that toads are a sign of resurrection. For others, they are a sign of great treasures.

To get rid of toads in your yard you can remove any dark and damp hideouts for them, as well as removing any water or food sources.

The common toad can jump up to 130 in (330 cm) high!

Toads have a long list of predators like birds, snakes, hedgehogs, stoats, rats, weasels. Dogs also often kill toads and frogs thinking them to be food, and the poison from some venomous toads can be deadly for dogs if they eat them.

Do toads have teeth?

Unlike most frogs, toads don't have teeth.

Where do toads go in winter?

All toads and frogs hibernate during winters. The place where a toad hibernates is called a hibernaculum. During hibernation, they dig and hide under loose soil to keep their body insulated, retreat into the hollows of tree roots, the base of hedgerows, or rest safely under stones.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other amphibians including the Surinam toad, or the marine toad.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our frog and toad coloring pages.

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