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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.
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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 wartsTwo 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.
Images
1 Through 6 Are From The US Fish & Wildlife Service
Images 7 Through 10 Are Courtesy Of The U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Image Number 11 Is Courtesy OF THe USFish & Wildlife Service
Image Number 12 Comes From The U.S.D.A.
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