GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Toads are mostly nocturnal, resting during the day in burrows, in trees, or under leaves, undected unless they leap out from under your feet. Toads will also hibernate in burrows. In spring they mate, and the females (which tend to be bigger than the males) lay their eggs in the water in gelatinous strings that are 4 ft. (1.2 m) or more in length. These strands are usually double strands, where frog eggs are laid in clumps. There are some toads (genera Nectophrynoides) that are the only types of anurans to bear live young! Toads tend to lay many eggs because there are many hazards between fertalization and becoming full grown. In captivity, many species of frogs and toads can live for surprisingly long times. They seem generally to average somewhere between 4 and 15 years! Their tongues produce quantities of mucus to help in swallowing. All anurans (toads included) blink when they swallow. And because no bone exists between the eye and the mouth, the eye is pushed against the roof of the mouth, forcing the food further back. The parotoid glands, the swellings behind the eyes, are a defense against predators. These glands secrete fluids that are toxic if taken internally. The warts (on some toads) exude a similar toxin. Some toads can squirt poison at potential predators, from the parotoid glands. If you've ever hear a dog "scream" after picking up an American Toad, now you know what happened! And despite the myth, toads do not cause warts!