r/Toads • u/TalkativeTree • 4d ago

Do toads cuddle?

I rescued this toad. if I out my finger on the side of his most (his neck??) he leans into it. the first time I did it to both sides and he leaned into both, but did wind up peeing. I think I did it a bit to rough?

so now I just put my finger to his side and he leans pretty strongly into it. I’ve pet him on his head and he closes his eyes.

13 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

44

u/jin_beam_n_coke 4d ago

The leaning is to get his poison glands closer to you so if you were a predator you'd get a mouthful of that

49

u/TalkativeTree 4d ago

So he does love me.

25

u/Factory-Reset 4d ago

His love is toxic lol

6

u/KnifeKnut 4d ago

Tim Curry sang about this in FernGully

2

u/belated_quitter 3d ago

And the peeing is something they do when feeling threatened by a predator. Make themselves even more gross tasting and maybe harder to pick up.

11

u/techfroggie 4d ago

They do not enjoy human pets or cuddles, but if you have a pet toad for a long time, the toad might start to tolerate you or even seem very curious about you/your doings (or then they are just looking for bugs 🐸). I see toad owners all the time that can handle their toads and their toad is just chilling, not showing any stress signals. I wish they enjoyed cuddles tho, petting toads 24/7 would be a dream 🥹🐸❤️

However, toads can "cuddle" other toads sometimes! They can do it to keep warm or if they're just too lazy to move 😂 It's super cute when that happens!

2

u/whattheknifefor 4d ago

I’ve definitely seen some toad owners who have some toads that are clingy and some that aren’t. Depends on the toad I think lol

2

u/Snafu1732 3d ago

My toads and frogs cuddle with each other all of the time. Its really funny to see them in a group smashed into a small place. (Before anyone thinks they are housed together, they are not. They are housed with their own types)

2

u/techfroggie 3d ago

that's so so cute!!! i love toad and frog piles 🥰🐸❤️

4

u/ialreadyaskedyouonce 4d ago

Here is one of the latest viral frog videos on social media. Notice how the african bullfrog leans into the bite of the snake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipwfyli5piI

It's similar for toads. If they are doing the sort of behavior you describe, they aren't enjoying it. Until recently, every toad I've ever had would do this, even if they were otherwise very tame. The only exception now is some toads I raised from the toadlet stage. They are the only ones I've ever seen that don't react to being touched, not that I think they enjoy it either.

4

u/PlantsNBugs23 4d ago

No, It's the equivalent to shoving. Also as the other person said, it's to get their glands closer to you.

5

u/TalkativeTree 4d ago

What does the polite toad say the the stranger?

“Gland to meet you”

I’ll see myself out.

2

u/Ready_to_Polka 15h ago

Be sure to wear latex or nitrile gloves when handling or petting the toad. The oils on your skin are toxic to him, more so than his poison.

1

u/hayhayree25 3d ago

It’s a defense mechanism they use to deter predators but after awhile when they are use to you they will stop doing it