What Is It?

• “Warts” cover my skin.
• And my belly isn’t too thin.
• During the day, I like to sleep in.
• Breathing water is how I begin.

American Toad

Chubby toads begin life as tiny tadpoles. It takes about a month for the water-breathing tadpoles to turn into air-breathing adults. A toad’s skin is covered with dozens of bumps. You won’t get warts if you touch a toad, but the bumps do produce a toxin that makes most predators sick if they ingest it. During the day, toads hide under rocks, logs, or leaves. At night, they crawl out to eat earthworms and insects.