Surreal image of a natterjack toad representing research and animal welfare balance.

Does Toe Clipping Hurt Toads? Unveiling the Truth About Amphibian Research

Avery Sinclair in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the surprising effects of toe clipping on toads' short-term locomotor performance. Learn if this common research practice impacts their ability to escape predators or find mates."

For decades, scientists have relied on toe clipping as a seemingly harmless way to mark and track amphibians in the wild. This involves removing one or more toes to identify individual animals for mark-recapture studies, genetic analysis, and monitoring the effects of environmental contaminants. However, ethical questions linger: Does this common practice inflict pain or compromise an animal's well-being?

The debate over toe clipping centers on its potential impact on an amphibian's ability to survive and thrive. Concerns include pain, increased risk of infection, and impaired movement. Some studies suggest toe clipping reduces return rates in mark-recapture studies, potentially skewing population estimates. Others highlight ethical issues, questioning whether the benefits of research outweigh the potential harm to individual animals.

To shed light on this controversy, a recent study published in Annales Zoologici Fennici investigated the effects of toe clipping on the short-term locomotor performance of natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita). By measuring sprint speed and run rate before and after toe clipping, researchers aimed to determine whether this marking technique hinders a toad's ability to escape predators, forage for food, or find mates.

The Great Toad Experiment: Does Losing a Toe Slow You Down?

Surreal image of a natterjack toad representing research and animal welfare balance.

Researchers in Spain conducted the toad study on both agricultural and natural land, seeking to understand the subtle impacts of toe-clipping. They first recorded the movement speed of the toads in a straight path before splitting them into two groups. The scientists videotaped natterjack toads running along a linear runway, carefully measuring their sprint speed and run rate (the number of runs per meter).

After the initial assessment, the toads were divided into two groups: a control group that remained untouched and an experimental group that underwent toe clipping. In the experimental group, one toe on each hind limb was removed. One hour after the procedure, the toads were videotaped again under the same conditions.

Sprint Speed: The toad's fastest burst of speed over a short distance.
Run Rate: How often the toad stopped and started while traveling a meter.
Habitat: Whether the toad was found in agricultural or natural land.

The results of the experiment challenged some common assumptions about the effects of toe clipping. The study found no significant difference in sprint speed or run rate between the control group and the toe-clipped group. Both groups performed similarly in the initial and subsequent trials. This suggested that, at least in the short term, toe clipping does not impair the locomotor performance of natterjack toads. Furthermore, the researchers found that sex and habitat didn't affect the results.

Implications for Research and Conservation

This study offers valuable insights for researchers and conservationists grappling with the ethical considerations of animal marking techniques. While toe clipping may not have immediate effects on toad locomotion, the authors emphasize the importance of considering long-term impacts and potential effects on other species. Further research is needed to fully understand the consequences of toe clipping on amphibian behavior, survival, and reproductive success. By carefully weighing the benefits and risks, scientists can strive to minimize harm to individual animals while advancing our knowledge of the natural world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5735/086.055.0606, Alternate LINK

Title: Toe-Clipping Does Not Affect Toad'S Short-Term Locomotor Performance

Subject: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Journal: Annales Zoologici Fennici

Publisher: Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board

Authors: Francisco Javier Zamora-Camacho

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is toe clipping, and why do researchers use it on amphibians like toads?

Toe clipping is a method used by researchers to mark amphibians for identification in studies like mark-recapture, genetic analysis, and monitoring the effects of environmental contaminants. It involves removing one or more toes from an amphibian to distinguish it from others. The purpose is to track individual animals over time, but the practice raises ethical concerns about potential harm.

In the natterjack toad study, what specific measurements were used to assess the impact of toe clipping on movement?

The study focused on natterjack toads (*Epidalea calamita*) and measured their sprint speed and run rate before and after toe clipping. Sprint speed refers to the toad's fastest burst of speed over a short distance, while run rate is how often the toad stopped and started while traveling a meter. These metrics were used to assess the impact of toe clipping on the toad's ability to move.

What did the study reveal about the immediate effects of toe clipping on the sprint speed and run rate of natterjack toads?

The study found no significant difference in sprint speed or run rate between the control group and the toe-clipped group of natterjack toads. This suggests that, in the short term, toe clipping doesn't impair the locomotor performance of these toads. The study also indicated that sex and habitat (agricultural vs. natural land) did not affect the results.

Even if short-term movement isn't affected, what are some potential long-term consequences of toe clipping on toads and other amphibians that this study didn't address?

While this study found no immediate effects on natterjack toads' locomotion, it's important to consider potential long-term impacts such as increased risk of infection, changes in behavior, or reduced survival and reproductive success. Also, the research outcomes might not be generalizable to all amphibian species or different environmental conditions. Additional research is necessary to address these knowledge gaps.

What are the broader implications of this study for researchers and conservationists who use toe clipping or other animal marking techniques?

This study highlights the importance of carefully weighing the benefits and risks of animal marking techniques like toe clipping. Researchers and conservationists should consider the potential harm to individual animals and explore alternative marking methods where possible. Future research should focus on long-term effects and impacts on different species to minimize harm while advancing scientific knowledge.