Toads – Family Bufonidae

The skin of toads is dry, warty, and highly glandular. Glands are distributed over the back and sides but are concentrated in the parotid glands located on the back of the head. They produce toxins that render the toad distasteful to many predators. The toxin (bufotoxin) produced by many species of toads may rub off onto your hands during handling; as a precaution, always wash your hands after handling toads or any amphibian.

Two species of toads occur in Ohio; the American toad and the Fowler's toad. Both species occur throughout the state, but the American toad is far more common and widespread in northeastern Ohio, whereas Fowler's toad tends to be restricted to the sandy soils near the Lake Erie shore and in southern Ohio.