How Does a Toad Croak?
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Frogs and Toads
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Frogs and toads are closely related types of amphibians. The major difference between these animals is their adaptation to different levels of moisture in their habitats. Whereas frogs largely dwell in or near water, toads have thick, leathery skin, usually brown in color, that allows them to retain more internal moisture and live in dryer areas.
In terms of vocalization, frogs and toads are not significantly different. The croak of a toad is achieved in the same manner as that of a frog.
Sound Production
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Toads create vocal sounds in a manner similar to that of mammals, including humans. The toad, equipped with air-breathing lungs, fills these with air, which it then expels at high pressure across its vocal chords, or larynx. The air vibrates the vocal chords as it moves across them, producing sound.
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Vocal Sacs
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The classic image of the frog inflating the skin beneath its chin is well-known. This inflating area is actually an organ called the vocal sac, and toads use it, as well. When it is inflated, the sac creates a resonating chamber to amplify the sound produced in the toad's vocal chords. Acoustically, this works in much the same way as the hollow wood on a guitar amplifying the sound of the strings, or the sound of an echo in a large cave. In this way, the vocal sac makes the croak significantly more audible, projecting it even across long distances.
The vocal sac is a separate chamber from the toad's mouth and cheeks, connected to the mouth through two narrow orifices positioned on either side of the tongue. Toads may have two vocal sacs and/or sacs that inflate inside the toad's body. When this happens, the toad's body bulges and there is no expansion below the chin.
Reasons for Croaking
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Toads croak for many reasons. The main purpose of croaking is for male toads to attract a mate. While some female toads may croak in response, croaking is largely a male activity in most species. Some male toads may croak as a means of marking territory or warning away another male that may accidentally try to mate with them.
Toads generally keep their mouths closed during calls, which dampens the volume of the sound. However, when a toad is being attacked by a predator, it may open its mouth in order to make a high-pitched distress call.
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