How to Tell a Male Toad from a Female

Toads are peaceful pets that are easy to nurture and care for. Sexing your toad, that is, telling whether it is male or female, can be a slightly more difficult matter. Adult toads are easier to sex than young toads because they participate in breeding, which enhances certain physical and vocal characteristics. Even if your toad is not yet fully grown, careful examination can help you determine whether you have a male or female on your hands.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the size of your toad relative to other toads. Females are usually larger and fatter because they must carry the eggs. The eggs are only released during breeding season, when the male fertilizes them externally in water.

    • 2

      Feel the skin of your toad. Female toads have more warts and bumps resulting in a rougher feeling than the male's skin.

    • 3

      Examine your toad's front legs. During breeding season, males have knobs, called nuptial pads, on their front legs. This allows the male toad to hold on to the female while he is on top of her, squeezing. This process is called amplexus and aids the female in releasing her eggs. Male toads also have thicker arms than the females, which can be used as an indicator outside of mating season when nuptial pads are not present.

    • 4

      Look closely at your toad's throat. During breeding season, males' throats have a darker color. Female toads have even coloring across the width of their throats.

    • 5

      Listen to your toad. Male toads sing by producing a shrill call during mating season. This specialized call helps male toads attract female mates. Both male and female toads can make sounds when distressed, though, so don't use sound production as the only indicator to determine the sex of your toad.