American toads excrete a toxic, milky substance from their skin in order to defend themselves against predators.

If they feel threatened, they will urinate on themselves in order to repel potential predators.

As a last resort, a toad can inflate their bodies. However, unlike a puffer fish, they inflate their bodies in order to prevent being swallowed instead of trying to make themselves look bigger.

American toads periodically shed their skin as they grow. The old skin gathers at the mouth and is consumed by that toad in order to retain nutrients.