American Toad
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
American Toads are nocturnal amphibians with one of the most notable calls of all toads. They have a special organ called the parotoid gland that secretes a special poison called bufotoxin. This substance helps the toad defend itself against predators. Although not lethal to humans, it is important to wash your hands after handling one to avoid a possible allergic reaction.
We want to emphasize that it is illegal to own any native animal as a pet in the state of Tennessee, including this species. Please be respectful of native animals and leave them be in their natural habitat.
Our American Toads are visible to the public on the boardwalk near our Welcome Center. They are also in our program rotation, which means they are a possible candidate for our educational wildlife programs. We believe in the animal’s consent, so we will only bring out an ambassador who feels up to the challenge for any given program.