Defenses
Toads and frogs defend themselves in several ways. Most of their predators are fish, turtles, snakes, birds and carnivorous mammals— shrews, mink, skunks and raccoons. Missouri’s larger species of frogs also will eat other frogs.
Toads cannot jump as fast as frogs. To escape a predator, toads defend themselves by producing toxic or unpleasant-tasting skin secretions that are released when the animal is seized. Due to their toxic skin, toads are not a popular food among most predators. Even their eggs and tadpoles are said to be toxic.
Frogs also have skin glands which cause them to have a bad taste. But the secretions are not generally as strong as those of toads, so frogs are eaten by a much wider variety of predators. People normally are not affected by the skin secretions of toads and frogs, though human eyes are sensitive to these substances. The pain and burning that result when even a slight amount of skin secretion gets in one of your eyes is something you will never forget.
It is important to wash your hands after handling a toad or frog. The age-old myth that toads can cause warts on people is false.
