Parotoid gland

When parotid glands - also Parotoiden, Parotoiddrüsen or ear glands - one calls paired ridges behind the eyes of some amphibian species, especially in the Real toads, but also some newts ( for example, when the Alps and the fire salamander ) and other taxa. In these glands complexes various toxins ( alkaloids) are produced which are used both for defense against predators as well as the protection against skin parasites ( ectoparasites) ( see for example: cane toad ).

• Anatomy of amphibians
• Exocrine gland