Where Do Toads Live?
Toads live almost everywhere! They're found on every continent except Antarctica. Unlike frogs that usually stay near water, toads are more terrestrial - they prefer living on land!
Toads adapt to many habitats! They live in forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, gardens, and even cities. Toads handle drier conditions better than frogs because their skin is less permeable, so they don't lose moisture as quickly.
Most toads only need water for breeding! Adult toads can live far from water. They get moisture from their food and by absorbing morning dew through their skin. When it's time to mate and lay eggs, they travel to ponds or streams.
Toads are nocturnal! They're most active at night when it's cooler and moister. During hot days, toads hide under logs, rocks, leaf piles, or in burrows. This behavior helps them avoid drying out.
Some toads dig burrows! Spadefoot toads have hard bumps on their hind feet shaped like spades. They use these to dig backward into soil, disappearing underground in minutes! They spend most of their time buried, waiting for rain.
Toads hibernate in winter! In cold climates, toads burrow underground below the frost line. They enter a dormant state called hibernation. Their breathing and heart rate slow way down. In spring, they emerge and immediately head to breeding ponds!
Many toads return to the same place each year! During breeding season, toads often travel to the same pond where they were born. Some travel over a mile! Roads built through migration routes can be dangerous - many toads are hit by cars.
What Do Toads Eat?
Toads are carnivores - they only eat meat! Like frogs, toads are predators that hunt live prey. They have excellent night vision for hunting in darkness.
What's on a toad's menu?
- Insects (beetles, ants, flies, moths)
- Spiders and mites
- Worms and slugs
- Snails (small toads eat baby snails)
- Small mice (large toads)
- Other amphibians (large toads)
Toads catch prey with their sticky tongues! When an insect comes close, the toad's tongue shoots out lightning-fast. The sticky tip catches the prey and pulls it into the toad's mouth. The whole action takes less than a second!
Toads swallow prey whole! They don't chew. Once food is in their mouth, toads blink their eyes, pushing them down into their head. This helps squeeze food down their throat! It's the same trick frogs use.
Toads are excellent pest controllers! A single toad can eat thousands of insects per summer. They especially love eating garden pests like slugs, snails, beetles, and cutworms. Gardeners love having toads around!
Large toads eat surprising prey! Cane Toads can eat mice, small snakes, and even other toads! They'll eat almost anything they can fit in their mouths. This makes them problematic invasive species in some areas.
Toads hunt by sight and movement! They have excellent vision for detecting motion. A toad will sit still, watching for movement. When prey moves, the toad strikes! They largely ignore non-moving objects.
Toads can go long periods without eating! If food is scarce, toads can survive weeks without eating. During hibernation, they don't eat for months! Their slow metabolism helps them survive lean times.