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American toad

Anaxyrus americanus

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
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36.2558, -87.0411

Field Notes

Description:

The eastern American toad is a medium-sized toad usually ranging in size from 2.0–3.5 inches. The colour and pattern is somewhat variable. Skin colour can change depending on humidity, stress, and temperature. Colour changes range from yellow to brown to black. The call or voice of a breeding male is a high trill, lasting 6–30 seconds, similar to a ringing telephone. They hibernate during the winter. The eastern American toad has spots that contain only one to two warts. It also has enlarged warts on the tibia or lower leg below the knee. While the belly is usually spotted, it is generally more so on the forward half (in some rare individuals there may be few or no spots). This subspecies of the American toad has no or very little markings on it. The spades on the back legs are blackish. Some toads of this subspecies have red warts on their bodies. Also eastern American toads have parotoid glands that are the same colour as the surrounding skin. The glands don't have any patterning on them.

Habitat:

Cumberland Trail, Ashland City, Tennessee.

Notes:

No Paparazzi pleeease!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

Thanks Jacob & harsuame! Definitely a "high 4" Dag!
Added to NWF mission for its innovative defense. The toads parotoid glands produce a poisonous secretion that helps to defend the toad from predators. This substance, which is called bufotoxin, can cause death in small animals and allergic reactions in humans.

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