true toad

A toad is a type of amphibian, specifically a squat, rough-skinned, tailless amphibian belonging to the order Anura. The family Bufonidae contains the "true toads," which are found globally, except in Australia, Madagascar, and polar regions. True toads, like the American toad (Bufo americanus) and European toad (B. bufo), are stout-bodied with short legs, typically walking or hopping. Their skin is dry and warty, with prominent poison-secreting parotid glands behind their eyes. These poisons can irritate predators' eyes and mucous membranes, and in some cases, cause paralysis or death. Toads are primarily terrestrial and nocturnal, feeding on insects and small animals. They breed in water, laying eggs in jelly tubes, and their tadpoles transform into adults in one to three months.1

It's important to note that the terms "frog" and "toad" are not strict taxonomic categories. All toads are technically frogs, and the distinctions are often superficial, based on characteristics like skin texture, leg length, and habitat preference.2