parotoid glands
Amphibian poison sacs
Parotoid glands are the large warty swellings behind the eyes of toads and some salamanders.
These glands secrete a thick, milky toxin that deters predators—the source of the old belief that touching toads causes warts.
The secretions of some species, like the Colorado River toad, contain psychoactive compounds.
Warty tailless amphibians
- frogsLeaping, croaking amphibians
- cane toadLarge venomous tropical amphibian
- salamandersTailed amphibians, often aquatic
- newtsSmall semiaquatic salamanders
herpetology · warty · caudata · metamorphosis · tadpole · larval
Nitrogen-based organic compounds
- cardiotoxinsAgents damaging cardiac muscle
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- poisonHarmful ingested substance
- venomInjected animal poison
toxicity · noxious · irritant · psychoactive · hallucinogenic
Countering hunters' threats
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability
- protectionGuarding against harm
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- distastefulnessQuality of causing aversion
repellent · startle response · chemical defense · passive defense · innate immunity
toads
Warty tailless amphibians
- frogsLeaping, croaking amphibians
- cane toadLarge venomous tropical amphibian
- salamandersTailed amphibians, often aquatic
newts · herpetology · warty · caudata · metamorphosis · tadpole · larval
alkaloids
Nitrogen-based organic compounds
- cardiotoxinsAgents damaging cardiac muscle
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- poisonHarmful ingested substance
venom · toxicity · noxious · irritant · psychoactive · hallucinogenic
antipredator
Countering hunters' threats
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability
- protectionGuarding against harm
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
distastefulness · repellent · startle response · chemical defense · passive defense · innate immunity
epidermal
Concerning the outer skin
alveolar · duct · epithelium
exude
Discharge gradually through pores
ooze · release · squeeze · sticky · viscous · stress-induced · biochemical