  Let $X$ be a normal projective variety and $f:X\to X$ a non-isomorphic
polarized endomorphism. We give two characterizations for $X$ to be a toric
variety. First we show that if $X$ is $\mathbb{Q}$-factorial and $G$-almost
homogeneous for some linear algebraic group $G$ such that $f$ is
$G$-equivariant, then $X$ is a toric variety. Next we give a geometric
characterization: if $X$ is of Fano type and smooth in codimension 2 and if
there is an $f^{-1}$-invariant reduced divisor $D$ such that $f|_{X\backslash
D}$ is quasi-\'etale and $K_X+D$ is $\mathbb{Q}$-Cartier, then $X$ admits a
quasi-\'etale cover $\widetilde{X}$ such that $\widetilde{X}$ is a toric
variety and $f$ lifts to $\widetilde{X}$. In particular, if $X$ is further
assumed to be smooth, then $X$ is a toric variety.
