Last Reviewed:September 29, 2022 by Gabrielle Marks
Do Toads Bite?
Toads do not bite. Toads are passive creatures and will not bite. Actually, the toad’s defense mechanisms are limited. Some toads have warts, which secrete a toxic substance that cause them to taste unpleasant to potential predators. While these secretions can irritate human skin, they are not poisonous unless they enter the body through an open wound. Even then, the effects are usually minimal. While the toxic secretions might deter a would-be predator, a toad really has no defense against a human and most definitely has no reason to bite.
Toads Have No Teeth
As a matter of fact, most toads do not even have teeth. Toads only eat living creatures and tend to prefer insects and worms like most amphibians. A toad’s tongue is attached to the front of its mouth, enabling it to extend quickly and for quite a distance to capture a bug. The bug is then deposited in the back of the mouth, and the tongue secretes mucus, which helps the toad swallow its food.
Toads Are Docile
Toads are peaceful, fascinating creatures. They are easy to catch and interesting to observe. If you handle one, it is important to wash your hands afterward, just to ensure none of the secreted toxins remain, simply because most toads are dirty. However, toads pose no real threat to humans and, if agitated, are more likely to urinate than attack.
Resources
“Poison Glands.” Allaboutfrogs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/protection/glands.html
“American Toad.” Ohio Department of Natural Resources – camping, boating, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking in Ohio. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/6602/Default.aspx
