The bufo bufo toad is very common in our countryside. Several subspecies of the bufo bufo have been observed, an example of which is the Bufo bufo spinosus , characterized by spurs on the head, white spots and a greater length than the Bufo Bufo species.
Bufo bufo toad: dimensions
The common toad is 10 – 12 cm long, however there are some particularly large specimens that can measure up to 20 cm. The dimensions of the subspecies Bufo bufo spinosus, for example, are remarkable and here a female can weigh more than 150 grams.
On average, the bufo bufo toads present in our territory weigh between 30 – 50 g (males) and between 50 – 100 g (for female specimens).
The bufo bufo has a stocky body, covered with warty glands on the upper side. The head is broad and rounded and it is on the head that there are two acorns capable of producing a poison .
Difference between frog and toad
Toads and frogs belong to the same family, Bufonidae, however they are different animals. There are strong differences between frogs and toads . They are two different animals both morphologically and in habits. The frog spends most of its life in water while the toad spends a good part of it on dry land and stays in the water only during mating and egg-laying.
Both toads and frogs have smooth skin to the touch… however, to the eye, the toad’s surface may appear wrinkled. To the eye, the frog’s surface appears smooth! Toads ’ legs tend to be stubbier while frogs’ legs are adapted for swimming.
Other behaviors that can help you understand if you are dealing with a frog or a toad are in the approach to humans. If you approach a toad, it tends to remain still. The frog, on the other hand, is more shy and would immediately jump away.
Toads , including the bufo bufo , have glands that secrete a poisonous substance that covers their body and which they use as a defense.
Among other differences, I would point out that both spawn in water, but frog eggs are laid in clusters, while toad eggs (including bufo bufo) form filaments or chains. The frog is often confused with the green toad .
In the photo below, the bufo bufo toad during mating.
Is the bufo bufo toad poisonous to humans?
The venom that covers the skin is used to ward off predators. Is it dangerous for humans? Not to the touch. Toad venom is only irritating to the mucous membranes… unless you want to put a toad in your mouth or rub it in your eyes… you can rest assured!
Is the venom of the bufo bufo toad hallucinogenic ?
Among the substances secreted by its glands is bufotenin, a molecule with hallucinogenic effects. In California, there was a fashion for licking the dorsal area of some species of toads (including Bufo bufo) and frogs precisely to ingest this molecule.
Trivia: In an episode of The Simpsons, Homer, during a trip to Australia, licks some toads to exploit their hallucinogenic effects.
Bufo bufo in the garden
The presence of the bufo bufo toad in the garden is absolutely favorable. The common toad often reaches gardens, parks, courtyards, countryside… it can also settle in damp cellars and human buildings.
Its presence in the vegetable garden or in the garden is positive because the brown toad is an excellent devourer of parasites. It feeds on insects, spiders, snails, worms… it has crepuscular habits (it hunts at night) and in the vegetable garden it can make a clean sweep of harmful insects and parasite larvae.
If you want to attract this toad, just keep the area moist and rich in vegetation. The toad is not attracted to plowed fields or vineyards.
On the contrary, if you want to keep toads away from your home or garden, know that in nature there are many predators that act as a repellent. Cats, dogs, crows, herons, snakes… are all animals that feed on toads. Of course, you can’t have a snake in your garden, but a friendly cat will help you keep any toads away.
The presence of roads in open countryside represents a threat to toad communities. During annual migrations, in fact, many toads end up crushed by passing cars. For this reason, in some neighborhoods ducts (small underpasses) have been built to allow the transit and migration of toads. These passages are used by frogs, toads, newts and many other amphibians.
While the common toad is not at risk of extinction in our country , it is included in the red list of neighboring countries such as Austria and Switzerland. The photo below shows an underpass for the transit of toads and a danger sign that warns of the presence of possible toads in the migration phase (in the summer, they move to reach more humid areas following the drying up of the previously colonized pools of water).