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A toad is a type of frog characterised by leathery, bumpy skin and short legs.[1] 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.[2] 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.[2]

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.[3]

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.[4]

Simon Talmadge told the house-elf Cosa that he died because of having been eaten by a toad that thought he was a fly after he drank the Shrinking Solution incorrectly.[5]

At some point before 1991, toads became an unpopular pet choice with students at Hogwarts.[2]

Robyn Thistlethwaite's roommate chose to have a toad at Hogwarts and named him Fry.[6]

Public opinion on toads[]

"You don't want to get a toad, they're out of fashion."
Rubeus Hagrid with Harry Potter in Diagon Alley, 31 July 1991[src]

By the time Harry Potter started attending Hogwarts in 1991, the possession of a pet toad conveyed neither cool nor status;[2] 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 his brethren toads living in the Black Lake, both owner and pet had a sense of relief.[4]

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.[7] Trevor was also subject to a Shrinking Solution Neville made in Potions in 1993, and was successfully turned into a tadpole.[8] 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.[9]

Known uses of toads[]

Toads

Purple toads for sale in the Magical Menagerie

Trevor

Neville Longbottom's toad Trevor in 1991

  • Neville Longbottom had a toad named Trevor for at least part of his time at Hogwarts, beginning in his first year at the school.[11]
  • Dolores Umbridge was described as resembling a toad in appearance and mannerisms,[12] leading students to call her an "old toad" and similar derogatory names.
Basilisk egg

A chicken egg hatched beneath a toad

Flitwick conducting

The Frog Choir performing in 1993

Known species of toad[]

Behind the scenes[]

Appearances[]

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 83 images related to Toad.

Notes and references[]

  1. WP favicon Toad on Wikipedia
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  3. Quidditch Through the Ages, Chapter 4 (The Arrival of the Golden Snitch)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Toads" at Wizarding World
  5. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened - "Chamber behind the portrait" event (see this video)
  6. Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  7. 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 10 (Hallowe'en)
  8. 8.0 8.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe)
  9. Wonderbook: Book of Potions
  10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 4 (The Leaky Cauldron)
  11. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 6 (The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters)
  12. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 12 (Professor Umbridge)
  13. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 16 (The Chamber of Secrets)
  14. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
  15. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 5 (The Order of the Phoenix)
  16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
  17. Wonderbook: Book of Spells
  18. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 3 (On the Case) - Transfiguration Lesson "Toad to Toadstool"

See also[]

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