You’ve heard of Bigfoot… but have you met Big Mac?
This enormous amphibian is an Asian Giant Toad, also known as the River Toad—and he’s living proof that not all toads are tiny. While males like Big Mac max out around 5 inches long, females of this species can grow up to 8 inches—that’s as wide as a sheet of printer paper!

Big Mac is one of our Ambassador Animals, which means you won’t find him on your adventure around the zoo. Instead, he makes special appearances at our Amphitheater shows and roaming keeper chats. For presentation times, check the wooden board near the covered bridge or behind Admissions.

A Toad Built for Adventure

Native to Southeast Asia, the Asian Giant Toad can be found in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar, typically near fast-moving forest streams. While most toads prefer to wander far and wide, these giants stick close to their home streams, often hiding under submerged rocks during the day and emerging at night to hunt.

As a nocturnal predator, Big Mac is most active when the sun goes down. His diet includes a variety of insects and small invertebrates, and in the wild, these toads are especially fond of ants and termites. Yum!

Built Big for a Reason

This toad isn’t just big for fun—it’s an evolutionary advantage. Larger size helps deter predators and allows the toad to eat larger, more energy-rich prey. Their skin is rough and bumpy (classic toad style), and it contains toxins that act as a defense mechanism. While they’re not dangerous to humans when left alone, it’s best to look but not touch.

Love Calls and Moonlight

While some amphibians call together in large choruses, the Asian Giant Toad prefers to go solo. Males like Big Mac call out independently year-round with a unique “raspy chirp”, often heard under a full moon. Their vocalizations help attract females, who can lay up to 12,000 eggs in one spawning event!

With such a frequent, high-output breeding cycle, it’s no wonder their populations remain stable in the wild.

Tiny Tadpoles, Big Impact

At every stage of life, toads like Big Mac play important roles in their ecosystems:

• Eggs & Tadpoles – Serve as food for fish, birds, and other wildlife
• Tadpoles – Help control algae overgrowth in streams, supporting aquatic biodiversity
• Adults – Provide natural pest control by eating insects like flies, ants, and termites

This makes them an essential part of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems!