• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

• Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

• Amphibians (Class Amphibia)

• Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)

• Toads

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Toads are a group of tailless amphibians belonging primarily to the family Bufonidae. Unlike most frogs, toads typically have dry, rough, warty skin, stout bodies, relatively short hind legs adapted more for walking than long-distance jumping, and prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes that secrete toxic substances to deter predators. Most species breed in freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, or temporary pools, where eggs hatch into aquatic tadpoles before undergoing metamorphosis into terrestrial adults. Adult toads are primarily nocturnal insectivores, feeding on beetles, ants, flies, caterpillars, slugs, spiders, and other invertebrates, making them valuable natural controllers of pest populations.