Pages Menu
Categories Menu

Posted by on Feb 5, 2016 in TellMeWhy |

Why Do Toads Have Warts?

Why Do Toads Have Warts?

Why Do Toads Have Warts? The function of the bumps on the skins of toads has been speculated to be to help the animal to blend more effectively into its environment by breaking up its visual outline.

Usually the largest of the bumps are those that cover the parotoid glands. The bumps commonly are referred to as “warts”, but this is fanciful; they have nothing to do with warts, being fixed in size, present on healthy specimens and are not a result of infection or injury.

The warts on a toad’s back won’t give you warts if you touch them. But you should be careful the way you handle the toad. The bumps or “warts” on a toad’s skin are actually a collection of poison glands.

When a toad is attacked, the lumpy glands in its skin let out a milky fluid that stings the mouth of any bigger animal that tries to eat the toad.

The poisonous glands can also sting your eyes and mouth if you rub them after picking up a toad. The toad’s poisonous skin does not protect it against all enemies. Many snakes and birds regularly feed upon toads.

Content for this question contributed by Barbara Hedderman, resident of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA