Florida's Frogs & Toads

True Toads

(Family Bufonidae)

Florida is home to 3 native "True Toads", two of which are shown here. Fowler's Toad, the third native species, is only found in Florida in the Panhandle. The toads of the family Bufonidae all have somewhat warty looking skin and have large, obvious glands, called parotoid glands, located on the shoulders behind the eyes. These glands produce secretions that make the toads taste bad to predators. Florida's native toads are not harmful to humans or pets. Unfortunately, the infamous invasive Cane Toad, also known as the "Bufo Toad" is also found in Florida, and can be extremely hazardous to pets. The non-native Cane Toad or "Bufo Toad" produces highly toxic secretions that can irritate your skin and burn your eyes. Most importantly, if a pet bites (or eats) one of these toads, these secretions will make the pet very ill and can even cause death. The following images and tips will help you to learn to identify Florida's native toads, and to tell them apart from the dangerous Cane Toad.

Pictures of Each Species with Identification Tips

• Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris)
  3 images
• Oak Toad (Bufo quercicus)
  2 images
• Cane Toad, a.k.a. the "Bufo Toad" (Bufo marinus)
  NON-NATIVE, Invasive Species
  3 images

 

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