Toads

Toads are amphibians that are related to frogs. They have dry, bumpy skin that helps them live on land. Toads are usually brown or gray, which helps them hide. They spend most of their time looking for bugs to eat.

Not Warts

Those bumps on a toad's skin are not warts. They are special glands that make a bad taste. This taste helps keep hungry animals away. You cannot get warts from touching a toad.

A colorful folk art print of a toad.
A colorful folk art print of a toad. (Unknown artisan from the village of Dong Ho. / Wikimedia Commons)

Helpful Hoppers

Toads are great friends to gardeners. They eat lots of bugs that can hurt plants. A single toad can eat thousands of insects in one year. They hop instead of jumping high like frogs do.

Fun Facts

  • Toads lay their eggs in water, just like frogs.
  • Baby toads are called tadpoles.
  • The cane toad is one of the biggest toads in the world.

Did You Know?

Toads shed their skin about once a week and then eat it to get back the nutrients.