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Southern Toad

Anaxyrus terrestris

PoisonousFound in Floridaamphibians
2 Mostly harmless danger 2 out of 5
Southern Toad
Photo by Norman.benton (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Norman.benton (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

What you should know

Southern toads have dry, bumpy skin and two large lumps behind their eyes called parotoid glands that make a milky poison to protect them from predators. If you touch a toad and then rub your eyes or put your fingers near your mouth, you could feel a burning or sick feeling. Always wash your hands right away if you touch one.

Whoa

Toads never drink water through their mouths. They soak up all the water their bodies need through a special thin patch of skin on their belly called the drinking patch.

Staying safe around it

This one is poisonous, which means it hurts you if you touch it or eat it. It cannot chase you, so the rule is simple: look, do not touch.

Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant. If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.

Source: Florida Museum of Natural History

Read more about the southern toad at Wikipedia.