The true toads are amphibians in the Bufonidae family. A number of species in other families of Amphibia are commonly referred to as toads. This is because the characteristics that are popularly used to distinguish frogs from toads are not quite the same as those used for scientific classification.

The type species of the family Bufonidae is the Common toad, Bufo bufo, and around it cluster a large number of species of the same genus, and some smaller genera. B. bufo is a tailless amphibian of stout build, with a warty skin, and any animal that shares these characteristics is liable to be called a toad, regardless of its location in formal taxonomy.

That the shape of the body is not a safe guide in judging of anuran groups is shown by some true frogs (Rana), which have adapted to burrowing habits, and are absolutely toad-like. The Bufonidae include terrestrial, burrowing, thoroughly aquatic and arboreal types; Rhinophrynus, of Mexico, may be described as an anteater.

The genus Bufo embraces about 250 species, and is represented in nearly every part of the world except the Australian region (with the exception of the introduced Cane Toad, Bufo marinus), Madagascar, and nearly all other isolated islands.

An Australian Toad displaying a Toad's characteristic warts

Two species are found in the British Isles: the Common toad, Bufo bufo, and the Natterjack Toad, Bufo calamita. The former is found almost everywhere.

The Natterjack is local to England, the southwest of Scotland, and the west of Ireland. It differs from the Common Toad in having shorter limbs with nearly free toes (which are so short that the toad never hops but proceeds with a running gait) and in usually possessing orange/red warts, green eyes, and a pale yellow line along the middle of the back. It is further remarkable for the very loud croak of the males, produced by a large vocal bladder on the throat which, when inflated, is larger than the head. Toads lay their eggs in long strings, forming double files in straight, jelly_like tubes.

External Links

• History and Lore of the Toad (http://www.traditionalwitchcraft.org/folklore/toad.html)