This Toad in Utah Smells Like Delicious Peanut Butter But Don’t Eat It

Hiking in Utah offers amazing scenery and the occasional red fox, desert tortoise, or even the dreaded rattlesnake. If you are ever resting on a trail and you catch the smell of peanut butter, you have discovered another wild animal and not someone’s lunch. 

Frog Excretes Chemical that Smells Like Peanuts 

The Great Basin Spadefoot Toad can be found throughout Utah and nearby states. These little amphibians are not usually seen unless you are out after a rainstorm. They usually forage at night but can be spotted during the day. 

Like other toads and frogs, these desert dwellers unload chemicals through their skin as protection. These are toxic to humans and can cause you discomfort and might make you sneeze. Even better, the chemical smells like roasted peanuts or peanut butter. 

These little toads are voracious eaters and can consume half their body weight in one gorging. They need this ability to take advantage of sparse rains and must sometimes go a year between eating. 

Don’t Touch Spadefoot Frog but Do Take a Picture 

Because of the toxic chemical the toad releases, it is best not to touch them. Of course, if you alarm it, you will get the peanut smell. And I don’t care how hungry you are and how delicious the toad smells, you should not take a bite.

You should, however, pull out your phone and snap a picture. The Division of Wildlife Resources has a program where local citizens can help them keep track of certain species. It involves the iNatruralist App.  

Read More: How Utah Was the First to Make a Bridge for Wildlife

Taking a picture of a Great Basin Spadefoot Toad and uploading it to their site with the information on where it was found can be helpful.