Alternate name: Marine Toad, Giant Toad

Family: Bufonidae, Toads view all from this family

Description Brown/yellow-brown. Prominent cranial crests. Round body outline.

Dimensions 10-23.8cm. (4-9 1/2")

Warning Toads have enlarged glands (called the paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heart beat, and, in extreme cases, death. The Giant Toad's poison is highly toxic and will burn the eyes and may inflame the skin. A dog or cat that bites a Giant Toad will sicken and may die. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.

Voice Low-pitched trills similar to a diesel engine sound.

Breeding Prolific breeder; females lay single-clump spawns with thousands of eggs.

Habitat Humid forests near water.

Range s. Texas & Mexico. Scattered parts of s. Florida.

Discussion Opportunistic feeder. Nocturnal. Originally introduced into various sites to control beetle populations which damaged sugarcane. Adapts to backyard environments. Will go so far as to eat directly from human hands.