5 Myths About Toads Separating Fact from Fiction

Does touching a toad give you warts? Is a toad venomous? Why do we see toads near water if they live on land?

With their bumpy skin and large glands behind their eyes, toads have inherited a few persistent myths. Yet, when we take a closer look at these amphibians, we discover animals that are far more fascinating and useful than their reputation suggests.

In this blog article, the Éducazoo team debunks five common myths about toads, explains their role in the ecosystem and introduces you to the American toad, the only member of the Bufonidae family naturally found in Quebec.

Myth # 1: touching a toad gives you warts

False. Toads do not give you warts. The bumps we see on a toad’s skin may indeed look like warts, but they are not. In humans, actual warts are generally caused by certain human papillomaviruses, or HPV. They therefore cannot appear simply because you touched the bumpy skin of a toad.

This distinctive skin is actually one of the characteristics that makes the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) easy to recognize. Its skin is granular and it has two large parotoid glands behind its eyes, which we will discuss again in a moment.

Myth # 2: toads are venomous

Not exactly: the American toad is actually poisonous. A venomous animal has a mechanism that allows it to inject its venom, such as fangs or a stinger. A poisonous animal, on the other hand, produces a toxic substance that can affect an animal that eats it or comes into contact with it, particularly through the mucous membranes (especially the eyes, nose and mouth).

In Quebec, the American toad is the only true native toad. When it feels threatened, its parotoid glands can release bufotoxins, defensive substances that make it particularly unpleasant for a predator to eat. 

Is the American toad dangerous to humans? Normal handling does not mean that you will be poisoned. However, you should avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth after contact, since the secretions can irritate the mucous membranes. You should therefore wash your hands after touching an amphibian. For dogs, the situation deserves more attention. A dog that licks, bites or picks up an American toad in its mouth may quickly begin drooling excessively, vomiting or showing signs of mouth irritation. The American toad is much less toxic than certain toad species found elsewhere in the world, but exposure in a pet should still be taken seriously.

Myth # 3: toads live in water

Not when they are adults! Toads are primarily terrestrial. The American toad can be found in forests, gardens, fields and various terrestrial environments. It may spend its days hidden under a log, rock or other shelter before becoming more active when conditions are suitable.

So, why do toads return to the water? Because water is essential for their reproduction. In the spring, adults return to ponds, pools and other freshwater environments to mate. The female lays her eggs in the water, where the tadpoles will then develop. These tadpoles are completely aquatic. After several weeks, they undergo metamorphosis : their legs appear, their tail is gradually reabsorbed and the young toads eventually leave the water to begin their primarily terrestrial life.

Myth # 4: toads are dirty and full of diseases

Their appearance tells us absolutely nothing about how « clean » they are. Damp skin, dirt and a few bumps do not make a toad dirty. However, we should also avoid going to the other extreme: like other amphibians, a toad can carry certain microorganisms without appearing sick. Amphibians can notably carry bacteria of the genus Salmonella.

The rule is therefore very simple: observe wild amphibians without handling them unnecessarily and, when contact is necessary, follow good hygiene practices. After touching an amphibian, wash your hands with soap and water. This is good for us, but limiting handling is also better for the animal and its delicate skin. In short, just because it is covered in bumps does not mean it is dirty. It is simply a little less attractive than Prince Charming.

American toad

Myth # 5: toads are useless

Now that’s a myth we can definitely forget! What role do toads play in nature? The toad is both predator and prey. It consumes various invertebrates, including insects and other arthropods, while it can itself serve as food for certain birds, snakes and mammals. It therefore occupies several links in the food chain.

Removing one link from an ecosystem can have repercussions on several other species. This is precisely one of the concepts our Naturalists discuss in our educational theme Ecosystem: rather than asking whether a species is « useful » to humans, we seek to understand the relationships that connect organisms within the same environment. The little toad hiding under a log therefore also contributes to this balance. You don’t need to be majestic to have a place in the food chain!

So, should we be disgusted by toads?

No. Toads in Quebec do not give you warts, do not spend their entire lives in water and are certainly not useless. The American toad does have chemical defenses that must be respected, but these primarily serve to discourage its predators. 

The next time you come across a toad in your yard, observe it instead of chasing it away. Behind that bumpy skin is an amphibian that plays its own role in Quebec’s biodiversity. And we promise: no warts should appear simply because you looked at it a little too closely.