They tend to bounce when threatened, which confuses predators, giving them time to escape. The African common toad (Sclerophrys Regularis) is found in Subsaharan Africa, ranging from Libya and Algeria to Egypt, Congo, Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya, and Nigeria, to name a few. They have a light mid-dorsal stripe with brown and black spots. Males have a clear white belly and a vocal sac, while females have a dark-spotted belly and no vocal sac. The Cuban toad (Peltophryne Peltocephala) is a red/brown to brown color with a brown head and cream chin and lower lip.
Pet treatment typically includes a trip to the emergency veterinarian. People in certain parts of the world—China and Southeast Asia in particular—where toad secretions have been used as folk medicine and as an aphrodisiac are also at high risk. Severe poisoning has also occurred in rural populations where toads and toad eggs were eaten due to food scarcity.
However, further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these treatments. If you or anyone else experiences adverse reactions after handling a pet toad, seek medical attention immediately to get advice on how to proceed. American toads are attracted to areas with moisture, vegetation, and a good food source. They need a semi-permanent pond or oth- er shallow waterway in order to breed, get water and live when young.
Supervise Children
The key is understanding the risks and practicing basic hygiene to minimize any potential harm. They differ from most frogs because they have dry skin, warts, crests behind the eyes, and parotoid glands. The parotoid glands produce a poisonous secretion that helps the toad defend itself from predators. This substance, called a bufotoxin, can cause death in small animals and allergic reactions in humans. If they’re brown or green in color, they can blend into their surroundings and escape detection. If brightly colored, they warn predators to stay away because they’re poisonous.
Is it bad to touch an American toad?
Although some toad species can be extremely toxic to humans, most toads are primarily toxic to animals and will only cause mild poisoning in humans. Still, these toxins are a primary defensive mechanism for toads living in the wild, and curious amphibian lovers should always keep a safe distance when exploring toad habitats. American toads, like many of their amphibian cousins, possess parotoid glands behind their eyes that secrete a substance called bufotoxin. This poisonous secretion is a defense mechanism against predators, designed to taste foul and deter potential attackers.
Are American Toads Poisonous to Humans, Dogs, or Cats? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
The range of effects after handling a toad can range from completely unaffected to toxicity and death, depending on the level of exposure. Toads deliver this sticky toxin through their incredibly permeable skin. While some people do keep poisonous toads as pets, it is important to research the specific species and their care requirements before bringing one into your home.
Females are larger than males and can grow to 5.5 inches (14cm) with males growing to around 3.9 inches (10cm). This medium-sized toad is green, brown, black, or dark gray in color with tubercles all over. They live in small ponds with stagnant water and in dry areas with open areas. The University of Florida says the toads should be humanely euthanized by catching them and rubbing a 20 percent benzocaine gel on the toad’s belly before freezing them. There are no guidelines when it comes to catching or securing the toads.
One key feature of identifying the eastern American toad is that the crests behind the eyes almost never touch the parotoid glands. Be mindful to avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or any open wounds after handling a toad until you’ve washed your hands. This will prevent any potential irritation from the bufotoxin or any Salmonella infection from spreading.
Although they are native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, fire-bellied toads are sometimes kept as pets in the US. The fire-bellied toad (Bombina species) gets its name from its bright red, yellow, or orange underside. It secretes two types of toxins that can cause varying degrees of irritation in humans. The good news is that most toads in the United States are only mildly toxic, though their secretions can cause some dramatic signs when they come into contact with a pet’s mouth. Excessive drooling, foaming at the mouth and pawing at the mouth are common signs of ingestion–if a toad is actually ingested, vomiting can occur as well.
This research is crucial for both medical purposes and for conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered toad species. First and foremost, it is important to note that not all toads are poisonous. In fact, only a small percentage of toad species produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and other animals.
Are American Toads Aggressive?
- Due to the extensive development and urbanization of the state to accommodate our ever-growing population, much of New Jersey’s natural wetlands have ceased to exist.
- If you suspect that your dog or cat has had contact with an American toad or ingested one, it is essential to act quickly.
- The Environmental Literacy Council (enviroliteracy.org) has educational resources for children.
- By familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of toxic toads and understanding their behaviors, you can enjoy observing them in the wild without any unnecessary risks.
Toads also puff up their bodies in an attempt to look bigger and inedible if a predator is nearby. The bufotoxin in the toad’s skin secretions can cause various signs when pets come into contact with or ingest it. While this toxin doesn’t tend to be deadly it can cause excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect that your dog or cat has had contact with an American toad or ingested one, it is essential to act quickly. Immediately rinse their mouth with running water to remove any toxin residue. Avoid directing water down their throat, as it can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Understanding Amphibians and the Environment
As time passes, the tail becomes smaller and smaller until it eventually disappears. Once this metamorphosis stage is complete, the adult toad is ready to live a terrestrial lifestyle. However, all amphibians require an unpolluted source of water to reproduce.
Yet, some might hold a nugget of truth that can help us better understand the creatures and influence our interaction with them. Carve an hour or two out of your day to search for 24 hour emergency veterinary hospitals. Call them, find out the pricing, protocol, and work out are toads poisonous the plan from start to finish in advance.
If that’s not gross enough, they also have large triangular glands behind their heads that excrete a highly toxic white goo when the toads are stressed or grabbed. American toads have a certain degree of ability to change their skin color, but it is not as pronounced as in some other amphibians. Their color changes are typically limited to lighter or darker shades within their range of natural hues and are linked to temperature, humidity and stress. As long as your pet is conscious, rinse their mouth out with water for five to 10 minutes using a hose or other running water.
All toads have poison-carrying parotoid glands located behind their eyes on the sides of their heads. However, these poisonous glands can also be housed inside numerous warts across the surface of their body. The toxic substance they release is generally thick, creamy, and white and generally has an unpleasant odor to warn predators in the wild. As a general rule, it’s best to avoid unnecessary handling of wild animals, including American toads.
Frogs or toads are not recommended to be kept alongside children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, or those with a compromised immune system. If you’re handling toads regularly, especially for research or educational purposes, consider wearing disposable gloves. This provides a barrier between your skin and the toad, minimizing the risk of toxin exposure and Salmonella transmission. Gloves are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases like chytridiomycosis among amphibians. Some species of poisonous toads are protected under wildlife conservation laws, so it is important to be mindful of their legal status and ensure their welfare is prioritized.
African Common Toad
If you remove toads but do not fix the source of the problem, you’ll just have more toads later. Next, perhaps the most commonly-seen toad in the county, the Red Spotted Toad. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
What Are the Signs of Toad Toxin Exposure in Humans?
So, if you come across a city-dwelling toad or live out in farmland, be extra cautious if handling these creatures. Beyond the potential harm from physical handling, humans pose a persistent threat to toads by encroaching on their environment and causing habitat degradation. Humans have also introduced invasive predator species into regions and subsequently caused population instability.