- Toad
__NOTOC__A toad can refer to a number of
species ofamphibian s in the orderAnura . A distinction is often made betweenfrog s and toads by their appearance, prompted by the convergent adaptation among so-called "toads" to dry habitats. Many "toads" often have leathery skin for better water retention, and a brown coloration for camouflage. They also tend toburrow . However, these adaptations are not reliable indicators of its ancestry. Becausetaxonomy reflects only evolutionary relationships, any distinction between frogs and toads is irrelevant to their classification.For instance, many members of the frog families
Bombinatoridae ,Discoglossidae ,Pelobatidae ,Rhinophrynidae ,Scaphiopodidae , and some species from theMicrohylidae family are commonly called "toads". However, the only family exclusively given the common name "toad" isBufonidae , or the "true toads". Some "true frog s" of the genus "Rana" have also adapted to burrowing habits, while a bufonid species in the genus "Atelopus " are conversely known by the common name "harlequin frog s".Toads in mythology
The
Moche people of ancientPeru worshipped animals and often depicted toads in their art. [Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. "The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera." New York:Thames and Hudson , 1997.] ToVietnamese people , toad is the uncle of the Sky. According to a Vietnamese ancient story, whenever toads grind their teeth, it is going to rain.Fact|date=September 2008It is commonly believed that physical contact with a toad can cause
wart s on humans. Warts are, in actuality, caused by an internal viral infection; thus, a toad could not possibly cause a wart. The paratoidal glands, which toads use to secrete poison for protection, are often mistaken for warts. This misconception could very conceivably have brought about such a superstition.See also
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List of frogs and toads by state (U.S.)
*True toad (Bufonidae)
*True frog (Ranidae)Notes
*ITIS|ID=173423|taxon=Anura|year=2006|date=4 May
Further reading
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