A true toad is any member of the family Bufonidae in the order Anura. This family includes all known toads, although some species may be referred to as frogs, like harlequin frogs. Bufonidae consists of over 35 genera, with Bufo being the most recognized.
Appearance
All true toads are toothless and generally warty, with parotoid glands on their heads that contain alkaloid poison, which they release when stressed. The toxins vary among species, with some, like the cane toad (Rhinella marina), being more toxic than others. Some toads, such as the Colorado River toad (Incilius alvarius), are used recreationally for their psychoactive effects.
Males or females of some species may have a Bidder’s organ, which can develop into an ovary under specific conditions. The loss of teeth in frogs has occurred independently over 20 times, with Bufonidae being entirely toothless, similar to members of the Microhylidae family.
Diet
True toads are opportunistic carnivores that primarily feed on small invertebrates. Their diet usually includes insects such as beetles, ants, flies, and caterpillars, as well as spiders, worms, slugs, and other soft-bodied creatures they can overpower. Larger species may also consume small vertebrates like mice, lizards, or other amphibians when available. Toads are ambush predators, relying on their sticky, extendable tongues to quickly snatch prey.
Habitat
Because they are generalists, their diet varies depending on habitat, season, and prey availability, allowing them to thrive in a wide range of environments.
True toads are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, living in various environments from arid regions to rainforests.
Behavior
True toads display a variety of behaviors that help them survive in different environments. Most are nocturnal, spending the day hidden under logs, rocks, or burrows and becoming active at night to hunt. During the breeding season, usually triggered by warm rains in spring, males gather near ponds, streams, or temporary pools and call loudly to attract females. After mating in amplexus, females lay long strings of eggs in water, which hatch into tadpoles. In colder regions, many species hibernate through the winter by burrowing into soil, leaf litter, or underground shelters to avoid freezing temperatures. These behaviors, nocturnal activity, seasonal breeding, and hibernation, are key to their survival and reproduction.
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