bufonid

Bufonid refers to a member of Bufonidae, the family of true toads within the order Anura. Bufonidae is a large and diverse group of amphibians found in many regions of the world, though there are no native true toads in Australia (where introduced cane toads, Rhinella marina, previously Bufo marinus, occur).

Physically, bufonids are typically stout-bodied with dry, warty skin and short hind limbs. They are largely terrestrial, though many breed in or near standing water. They often have prominent parotoid glands behind the eyes that secrete defensive toxins (bufotoxins). Most bufonids lack maxillary teeth and have only small vomerine teeth in some species.

Ecology and behavior vary widely among genera and species. Bufonids generally feed on a variety of invertebrates and, for larger species, occasionally small vertebrates. They are primarily nocturnal and employ camouflage to avoid predators. The skin toxins help deter predators, but can be irritating to humans and hazardous to pets if ingested.

Reproduction and life cycles typically involve breeding in or near water. Eggs are laid in long strings or masses and hatch into aquatic tadpoles that later metamorphose into juvenile toads. Development rates depend on temperature, water availability, and species-specific life history.

Taxonomy has been reshaped in recent decades, with many species formerly placed in the genus Bufo reassigned to genera such as Anaxyrus, Rhinella, Duttaphrynus, Incilius, and Atelopus. Conservation status among bufonids ranges from common to threatened, reflecting habitat loss, pollution, disease, and, in some regions, the impact of introduced species.