What toxic glands sit behind the eyes of many toads?

What toxic glands sit behind the eyes of many toads? They are parotoid glands. These raised skin glands usually sit behind the eyes and near the neck or shoulders, especially in true toads and some salamanders.

When a predator squeezes or bites a toad, the glands can release milky defensive secretions containing compounds collectively known as bufotoxins. Depending on the species, these chemicals can irritate the mouth or affect a predator's nervous and cardiovascular systems. The glands are not venom-delivery fangs; the chemicals are generally released onto the skin surface.

The name reflects their position beside the ear region and their superficial resemblance to mammalian parotid glands. Mammalian parotid glands make saliva, whereas amphibian parotoid glands produce defensive chemicals. Their internal structure consists of many small lobules supplied by blood vessels that deliver toxin precursors.

A common myth says that touching a toad causes warts. That is false: warts are viral skin growths, while parotoid glands are normal anatomical features. Still, amphibian secretions can irritate eyes or mucous membranes, so handling toads should be followed by careful hand-washing.