That toads can give you warts is a common myth that probably originated due to the many bumps located on their skin that somewhat resemble warts.  The large bumps located behind the toad’s ears are known as paratoid glands and contain a nasty poison.  Not only do these taste bad but they also irritate the mouth of any predator who tries to eat the toad.  This can cause many symptoms including but not limited to convulsions and even death.  You should always be careful when handling toads and as a general rule of thumb it is good to always wash your hands before and after handling these creatures.  However there is no need to worry about getting warts from a toad.

Neither toads nor frogs can give warts to humans.  This is because Warts are actually benign squamous neoplasms, which can be caused by a virus. This virus can be only be passed from person to person, i.e. toads and frogs do not carry it.

Most people come in contact with the virus that causes warts without knowing it, for instance a person might come in contact with it by accidently cutting himself on something or by accidently touching a wart that is located on another person’s body.  Most warts are easily treatable and nothing serious to fret about.

All toads have lumps on the back of their heads, these lumps are known as paratoid glands that produce a chemical substance.  In some toads what this means is that it makes them taste horrible to the predator that is trying to eat it.  A few species on every continent however have been known to produce highly toxic substances that can be harmful to humans.  They secrete the substance in self defense.

The skin of the adult cane toad is toxic.  This particular species of toad also has paratoid glands located behind the eyes and others across its back.  When these toads feel threatened, their glands secrete a milky white fluid known as bufotoxin.  Components of this toxin are poisonous to many animals and it is true that there have even been human deaths due to the consumption of these toads.

Bufotenin is classified as a class 1 drug under Australian law right alongside drugs such as heroin.  It is though that the effects of bufotenin are similar to that of mild poisoning: the stimulation which includes mild hallucinations that last for less than an hour. All stages of a cane toad’s life cycle are toxic.  The poison produced by its glands act dangerously upon the heart.  Quite a few humans have died in countries around the world from consuming the creature in toad soup or from consuming boiled toad eggs.  A cane toad responds to threat by turning on its side so that its paratoid glands are directed towards its predator.  The poison then usually oozes out of the glands, however these toads can also squirt a fine spray of it for a short distance if they are handled roughly.  The poison is then absorbed through mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, and nose.  In humans this toxin has been known to cause intense pain, temporary blindness and inflammation.

These toads are poisonous to pets and several dogs have been known to die after ingesting the toads.  Signs of poisoning include profuse salivation, twitching, vomiting, shallow breating, collapse of the hind limbs, etc.  Cardiac arrest and death can even occur within a mere 15 minutes or so after ingesting the toad.

First aid treatment for this type of situation includes washing the infected area with a lot of water.  Seeking medical attention if the symptoms persist is crucial.  When handling any toad, it is a good rule of thumb to always protect the eyes, wear gloves, and thoroughly wash your hands before and after touching the animal.

Toads and frogs cannot breathe underwater.  They need air in order to breathe.  They can however hold their breath for long periods of time when underwater.  Toads breathe through their skin with what’s called cutaneous gas exchange. They also have lungs for when they’re out and about, but when in hibernation or submerged in water, they just use their skin.

Toads are considered amphibians.  Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates that undergo a larval stage and metamorphosis before becoming adults (e.g., pollywogs and tadpoles are frog or toad larvae). Amphibians need to keep their skin damp so it doesn’t dry out and they usually mate and lay their eggs in water. Frogs, toads, and salamanders are all examples of amphibians.

Reptiles and amphibians are distantly related to one another and have quite a few similarities.  However there are still many differences that can be found between the two.  These differences can often be distinguished from each other based off of physical appearance and the different stages of life.

The word amphibian literally means “living double lives”.  This refers to creatures who are living two lives: one in water with gills and the other on land once they grow lungs with age.  Amphibians are vertebrates and cold blooded.  Early amphibians were the first animals to leave sea and eventually venture onto land.

Whereas the word reptile means “to creep stealthily under cover of darkness” this group of animals has scales, breathe air and usually lay eggs.  Most reptiles live on land and reproduce by laying eggs.  An amphibian’s skin texture is smooth, moist and rather sticky. It is laden with mucuous glands and although most amphibians have lungs most breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouths.  Reptile’s skin is dry and scaly.  Amphibians usually have to stay near water sources to prevent drying out whereas reptiles do not.

Amphibian’s eggs are soft and covered by a gel.  They do not have a hard protective covering and are usually found in water or damp places.  Reptiles lay amniotic eggs with hard leathery surfaces.  They usually lay these eggs on land or keep them inside of their bodies until they are ready to hatch.

Both amphibians and reptiles are equipped with ways to defend themselves against predators.  Amphibian’s including some species of toads have toxic skin secretions while other species of amphibians are known to bite.  Amphibians do not however have claws or nails.  Reptiles such as the crocodile do have claws, as well as whipping tails that can really do some damage.  They are also obviously known to bite, and some even have venom.

Reptiles originated around three hundred and some odd million years ago during the Carboniferous period, having evolved from advanced reptile-like amphibians that became increasingly adapted to life on dry land.  Unlike amphibians, reptiles do not have or require an aquatic larval stage.  Interestingly enough, it did not become known until around the nineteenth century that reptiles and amphibians are two different types of animals.

Keep toads away from your dogs!  The venom that toad’s secrete from their skin is very toxic to dogs, especially if ingested.  It causes hallucinations, convulsions, weakness, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrest and can even result in death.  Two of the most venomous toads in the United States are the Colorado river toad and the giant toad also known as the marine toad.

Because dogs are more curious and extroverted than other animals, they are often treated  more often for toad poisoning.  However it should be noted that as dangerous as it is for a dog to ingest a toad, ingestion is not the only way for a toad to poison a dog.  There have been some cases where a toad or frog have been attracted to the dog’s water dish and left enough toxins in it to leave the dog sick.

If you live in an area where toads reside, then you should limit your pet’s exposure to warm, moist, outdoor environments, especially in areas that are located in the desert southwest.  A few symptoms that most likely indicate that your pet has been poisoned by a toad or frog are as follows:

• Mouth irritation
• Foamy salivation
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Collapsing of the body or hind legs
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If your pet ate, licked or somehow came into contact with a toad some other way, you should not hesitate to flush his mouth with water to remove traces of the toxin. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms it is also crucial that you get him or her to a vet immediately for medical assistance.  An electrocardiogram may even be conducted to determine whether your pet has an abnormal heart rhythm. Although there is currently no way to find the presence of the toxin in dogs, diagnosis can usually be made based on whether the pet was seen eating a toad or if toad parts are found in the gastrointestinal tract.

Your veterinarian may give your pet cardiac drugs such as propranolol to combat abnormal heart rhythms. Anxious, frightened or painful pets may need sedatives. Pets suffering from a high fever may be benefit from being given a cool bath.  A hospital stay with intravenous fluids is very likely, with your pet’s heart monitored by an electrocardiograph.