How Do Toads Reproduce?
Toads reproduce sexually, with the female producing eggs that are fertilized by the male. Some species of toads fiercely protect their young, while others merely leave the fertilized eggs to their fate.
Female toads internally produce eggs and then lay them, either on land or in shallow ponds or pools of water, and the male toad fertilizes the egg. Many toad species rely on the volume of the eggs, rather than actively protecting them, to ensure the continuation of the species. This way, it is statistically likely that at least some will survive to adulthood.
Some species of toads, such as common mid-wife toads, care for the fertilized eggs before depositing the developing tadpoles into a nursery pool. The male toad glues the fertilized eggs to his body and protects them until they are ready to swim as tadpoles. Almost all species of toad have a loud, boisterous mating call, which can be heard all throughout the mating season. One exception to this trend is the western toad, which has no call at all. Western toads have stopped calling because of the physical demands required and the fact that calling also reveals the toad’s location to potential predators besides potential mates.
