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Southern Toad

Anaxyrus terrestris

Description:

These toads are everywhere in my back yard. Are they poisonous?

Habitat:

Northwest florida

1 Species ID Suggestions

Southern Toad
Anaxyrus terrestris Southern Toad


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3 Comments

alixandra.s.heckman
alixandra.s.heckman 11 years ago

Thanks to you both. This is great info!

LivanEscudero
LivanEscudero 11 years ago

Well, I'll add my vote to Hunter's ID (beat me to it :P) But here is more reading on the toad:
http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlif...
I don't know if all but many toads produce "poison" from those kidney shaped glands behind the eyes. It oozes from the skin as a defebce mechanism, so unless you lick them or put it in your mouth is not a problem, of course pet's are vulnerable if they bite them. For this one it states: "The Southern Toad has smaller kidney-shaped paratoid glands, which secrete a substance that may be irritating to mucous membranes but is not toxic." Don't know if that applies to pets also.

Hunter Hebenstreit
Hunter Hebenstreit 11 years ago

The venom from the partoid glands of this toad is weak. It wouldn't hurt you much unless you ingested it, and even then its effects would probably be mild. It might irritate your skin slightly, so washing your hands after handling it would probably be a good idea. Toads are good to have around, as they eat many bad bugs!

Pensacola, Florida, USA

Spotted on Apr 1, 2012
Submitted on Jul 6, 2012

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