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# Southern Toad - Is It Dangerous? | Mind of Animals

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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](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_terrestris_0.jpg)

## 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. Look, do not touch. Ask a grown-up and call a vet.

**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](https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herpetology/)

Read more about the southern toad at [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_toad).

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