Are Toads Poisonous to Humans? Vet-Approved Safety Facts & FAQ

When you arrive at the veterinarian’s office, the veterinarian will ask if you know for sure if your pet licked or ate a toxic toad or if this is a suspected toad exposure. While most toxicities happen to dogs – likely due to their curiosity – the toads we mention in this article are toxic to cats, as well. If you know your dog is likely to ignore your “leave it” cue and attempt to chase or eat something, then your dog should not be allowed to roam freely outdoors.

These toads are large and can grow to 7 inches (17.5cm) with females being larger than the male. These large toads can grow to 4.7 inches (12cm) for females and 3.5 inches (9cm) for males. Asian giant toads (Phrynoidis Asper) are also known as river toads and are native to southeast Asia. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. A standard-sized toad can eat around 3,200 insects per season, making them great for garden pest control.

• In recent years, there have been numerous reports of children and pets becoming ill or even dying after coming into contact with poisonous toads.
• The composition of sub-compounds in each toad’s unique bufotoxin mix can vary greatly.
• These toxins, known as bufotoxins, can cause irritation if ingested or touched, affecting both predators and humans with symptoms like burning eyes, nausea, or skin irritation.
• Eastern American Toads have a musical, extended trill that can last up to 30 seconds.
• Predatory marsupials, freshwater crocodiles, monitor lizards (known as goannas) and several of Australia’s most venomous snakes suffer as the toads move in.
• This is one of the largest toads in the world with females growing to 9.8 inches (25cm) and males to 6.7 inches (17cm).

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• Some animals have developed immunity to the toxins produced by poisonous toads and can safely consume them without any harmful effects.
• As time passes, the tail becomes smaller and smaller until it eventually disappears.
• If you happen to touch a toad, ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before you touch anything else.
• However, while American toads may be harmless when handled with care, it is strongly advised against ingesting them.
• Severe poisoning has also occurred in rural populations where toads and toad eggs were eaten due to food scarcity.
• Anti-nausea medications, such as maropitant, may reduce nausea and vomiting.

Despite their toxic nature, not all species of toads in the genus Rhinella are poisonous. For example, the Surinam toad (Rhinella marina) is not toxic, even though it belongs to the same genus as the venomous cane toad. True toads are a group of amphibians belonging to the family Bufonidae. They are characterized by dry, warty skin, short hind legs, and the ability to secrete toxins from their skin glands. In fact, poisonous species are a minority within the family Bufonidae.

How poisonous are true toads compared to other amphibians?

In North America, the most precarious toads are the Cane Toad and the Colorado River Toad. See the below chart for descriptions of these two pernicious amphibians. The innocent and curious nature of children and pets make them high risk, and we should always protect pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, and those who are immunocompromised. Anyone who handles an amphibian without proper training or precautions, eats them, or mishandles them in any way, is at high risk. Exposures resulting from dares or bets have caused deaths (see This Really Happened).

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A frog’s longer legs allow it to hop, whereas a toad, with its slightly shorter legs, tends to walk on land. They are widespread and have adaptable habitat preferences, contributing to their population stability. However, localized threats like habitat loss, pollution, and disease can impact specific populations in smaller areas. American toads have a certain degree of ability to change their skin color, but it is not as pronounced as in some other amphibians. Their color changes are typically limited to lighter or darker shades within their range of natural hues and are linked to temperature, humidity and stress. Therefore it’s best to consider any toad encounters as potentially toxic, and contact a vet or doctor if you start noticing health problems.

Toad Poisoning in Dogs

However, a couple of toad species are extremely dangerous to humans irrespective of the person’s health status. The Colorado River Toad and the Cane Toad are highly toxic if their poisons are ingested. Both species secrete Bufotenin, which causes serious side effects in humans. Side effects of their poisoning can impact the affected person’s neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems.

They were used to control sugarcane pests in 1936 and 1944 in Florida. They live up to 8,200 feet in the southern part of their range and are usually found in woodlands, wet locations, open countrysides, parks and gardens, and fields. They can live many years with the oldest recorded being fifty years in captivity. They are solitary until the breeding season when they come together at breeding ponds, with the males competing for females.

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Thankfully, most cases of toad poisoning in dogs aren’t too severe, and your dog will only experience mild symptoms, although those symptoms can last for several hours. However, with more severe cases, your dog will quickly progress are toads poisonous from the initial mild symptoms to experiencing difficulty in walking or moving normally. You might see your dog shaking or having muscle tremors, and if you look closely, you might notice that your pet’s eyes are moving abnormally. Toads are poisonous in all stages of their lifecycle, including eggs and tadpoles.