Toad

Toads are non-magical amphibian creatures. They were popularly known among Muggles as well as wizards and witches. Toads were one of the three animals students at Hogwarts were allowed to have at the school as pets along with owls and cats. The toad had been by far the least popular choice of pet, and according to Rubeus Hagrid, they went out of style years before 1991.
==History==
In 1269, after a Quidditch match she had interfered in, Modesty Rabnott was afraid that Chief Barberus Bragge would punish her by transfiguring her into a horned toad.
Many centuries ago, in blood-thirstier times when young witches and wizards were expected to personally pop out the newt eyes they were using in potions, they routinely brought boxes of toads to school for use in potions and in other charms. Over time, as the British Ministry of Magic introduced legislation regarding animal cruelty (sub-sections 13-29 inclusive relate to potion ingredients and their production) such practises were gradually outlawed.
At some point before 1991, toads became an unpopular pet choice with students at Hogwarts.
===Public opinion on toads===
By the time Harry arrived at Hogwarts, possession of a pet toad conveyed neither cool nor status; indeed, it was something of an embarrassment. The toad, never much appreciated for its own personal appeal, gradually appeared (alive) less and less frequently at Hogwarts, unless hopping and swimming wild in the grounds. Neville's pet toad, Trevor, had nothing to commend him except a propensity for getting lost, and when he slipped off to join one day his brethren toads living in the Black Lake, both owner and pet had a sense of relief.
==Magical abilities and skills==
Although they did not have magical abilities, they were useful to perform spells on or test potions on, such as when Professor Filius Flitwick made Neville Longbottom's toad, Trevor, fly around his classroom to demonstrate the Levitation Charm in 1991. Trevor was also subject to a Shrinking Solution Neville made in Potions in 1993, and was successfully turned into a tadpole. Toads were particularly useful to potioneers, as the fact that they absorbed liquids through their skin allowed for easy testing of potions that were normally required to be ingested orally.
==Known uses of toads==
*Toads were allowed to be kept as pets by students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but were unpopular in comparison to cats or owls.
*Toads were sometimes used in Charmss to demonstrate levitation, and in Potions classes to test the effectiveness of students' potions.
*Neville Longbottom had a toad named Trevor for at least part of his time at Hogwarts, beginning in his first year at the school.
*A chicken egg was hatched underneath a toad in order to produce a Basilisk.
==See also==
*Trevor
==Behind the scenes==
*In , the toad used for Trevor, Neville Longbottom's toad, is a smooth sided toad.
*In , during the transfiguration class, the toads used were cane toads.
*In , the species of toad used for Trevor is also a smooth sided toad.
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Category:Toads