The Trouble with Toads: Getting to the Bottom of This Toxic Threat

Exposures resulting from dares or bets have caused deaths (see This Really Happened). The risk for humans is considerably higher if they ingest the toxins, but involve other factors as well. These include the amount of toxin they ingest, the person’s age, any pre-existing conditions or ailments, and the toad species.

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• The poison is much more fatal to animals because their physical interaction with toads includes mouthing the amphibian.
• However, toads can survive longer without water compared to other frogs.
• Any brightly colored, rough-skinned newt or salamander likely contains TTX.
• But they will often progress to shock and neurologic signs within 30 minutes to several hours, eventually resulting in death.
• The name amphibian comes from the Greek term amphibios, which means “double life.” This is to reflect that they live in both land and water.

Warts are caused by a virus that can only be transferred to humans from another human, not from toads. However, it would be best if you always washed your hands after handling a toad due to the bufotoxin. Dog droppings should be picked up; cane toads are attracted to proteins in the droppings. Symptoms of poisoning in pets include excessive drooling and extremely red gums, head-shaking, crying, loss of coordination and sometimes convulsions. This is the Sonoran Desert Toad (or Colorado River Toad, as it is also referred to).

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WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. Yes, toads can swim, even though the water is usually puddles or shallow streams. However, toads can survive longer without water compared to other frogs. Toads are fascinating are toads dangerous to humans and resilient creatures found throughout the United States, each species adapted to unique habitats and climates.

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• (Native toads’ parotoid glands are oval.) Unlike native southern toads, cane toads do not have ridges or “crests” on top of the head.
• Predators and other animals that venture to attack or eat a toxic toad may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest.
• Toads are most active early in the morning and at night, so be on alert during these times, especially during the summer after it rains.
• Also, all toads can still pose risks for young children and those with health vulnerabilities.
• The severity of their toxicity varies among species, with some producing milder toxins that may only cause irritation or mild illness.
• WRE is a voluntary program that provides an opportunity for landowners to receive financial assistance in exchange for permanently protecting retired agricultural land.

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.

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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. Contact your veterinarian promptly for further guidance and to determine the best course of action. Another trend is the ongoing research into the toxins produced by poisonous toads.

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. The most important poison in newts and salamanders is tetrodotoxin (TTX), one of the most dangerous toxins known to man. TTX-containing newts are found in Oregon, California, and southern Alaska. Any brightly colored, rough-skinned newt or salamander likely contains TTX.

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The production of bufotoxins begins with the synthesis of precursors in the liver of the toad. These precursors are then transported to the parotoid glands, where they are converted into active toxins. The exact mechanisms of this conversion are not fully understood, but it is believed to involve enzymatic reactions. Due to the variance in toxicity among toads, there are naturally some more dangerous species. In North America, the most precarious toads are the Cane Toad and the Colorado River Toad. See the below chart for descriptions of these two pernicious amphibians.

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However, if you notice signs that your pet encountered a toad, contact your vet immediately for advice. American toads are usually not dangerous to humans, but after you handle them, washing your hands is important. Rubbing your eyes or putting your fingers in your mouth could have toxic effects. First and foremost, it is important to note that not all toads are poisonous.