The common toad exudes a white poison from the parotid gland behind its eyes. Neither frogs nor toads have tails as adults, but they have long, strong back legs to help them jump huge distances. They also have strong front legs to withstand the shock of landing. Frogs are the better jumpers, but toads are better adapted to life on land, with thicker, wartier skins that retain moisture better. They escape from predators themselves by jumping, or in some species, by exuding poison from glands on their skin.
Some poisons are relatively harmless, others are lethal.
Green tree frogs live mostly in trees and do not return to water even to breed. Big fingers and toes aid grip when jumping from twig to twig. Looking after eggs Many frogs and toads have unusual ways of looking after their eggs. With the midwife toad, for instance, it is not the mother who cares for the eggs but the father. He gathers up strings of eggs as they are laid, winds them round his back legs and carries them around until they are ready to hatch.