226 ] Snakes and Frogs and Their Relative? 



Toads 



Though most children delight in catching frogs, many hesitate to 

 touch a toad. They have heard the old myth that a toad is sure 

 to produce warts on the hand that touches it. While this much- 

 maligned amphibian does have warts on its back, it has no power 

 to transfer them. 



Basis for the "Wart" Myth: The so-called warts are really glands 

 which secrete a disagreeable-tasting substance. The elongated 

 swollen glands above and just back of the ears exude a milky 

 poisonous substance when the toad is seized by a hungry enemy. 

 This protective feature is entirely successful in some cases, but 

 many toads become victims of snakes and other animals. 

 THE TOAD EATS ITS SKIN 



Unlike the slippery, slimy frog, the toad has a perfectly 

 dry skin. It is cold to the touch because toads, like all amphibians, 

 are cold-blooded. Though the toad sheds its skin periodically, 

 you will never find one of these skins as you may a snake's skin, 

 The skin is promptly swallowed by the toad that sheds it! 



How TOADS DRINK AND BREATHE 



The toad has a very absorbent skin. When it is thirsty it 

 never drinks by mouth; instead, it stretches out in shallow water 

 and absorbs moisture through its skin. Consequently, if pools are 

 not available and if the atmosphere is dry, the toad will die in a 

 short time. 



The toad's breathing technique is also curious. You may notice 

 a steady pulsation in a toad's throat that results from its swallow- 

 ing air. Lacking ribs, it cannot inflate its chest to draw air into its 

 lungs as we do. 



How TOADS DEFEND THEMSELVES 



The toad is a favorite prey of many larger animals. It 

 cannot fight back, but it is resourceful in trying to save itself. 

 Toads and frogs use the same means of defense: Both are jumpers 

 capable of making long rapid jumps. The popular game "leap- 

 frog" is a tribute to the extraordinary jumping ability of the frog, 

 which has larger and more muscular hind legs. 



