American Toad
Anaxyrus americanus
They are approximately 2.0 to 3.5 inches in length. They have a gray, brown and even reddish base coloration. Some individuals are olive or tan. Their base coloration is…
How to identify
They are approximately 2.0 to 3.5 inches in length. They have a gray, brown and even reddish base coloration. Some individuals are olive or tan. Their base coloration is often highlighted with tan or yellow blotches that house unevenly distributed dark marks across the full length of the back. The skin is dry and has warts. The underside is light and accentuated with many dark marks. A pale stripe extends down to the middorsal. The males are smaller than the females and have dark throats during mating season.
Range
The anaxyrus americanus can be found in Central and Eastern United States up north to Quebec in Canada.
Habitat
The American Toad inhabits moist places with a lot of insects such as farmlands, parks, mountains and forests. Their diet consists mainly of insects. They are nocturnal and can be found hiding under rocks and burrows during the day. During winter, they hibernate in burrows. They breed between March and June. The males call out to interested females near pools of water suitable for the about 2000 eggs she's going to lay. The eggs hatch after 3 to 5 days and mature in 50 to 65 days.
Variations
The dwarf American toad (Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi), is smaller than the American Toad. It is reddish to light red. The spots are near absent and when present small red warts with a black ring around it. The eastern American toad (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) has its skin covered in warts. Each spot on the skin has one or two warts. It is inconsistent in coloration due to temperature, color of Habitat, stress and humidity. On average they are yellow to brown and solid colors become freckled.
Similar species
Amargosa Toad (anaxyrus nelsoni) The Amargosa toad has a warty body with a pale stripe running down the center of its back. Southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) The southern toad is usually brown but individuals can be colored in gray, dark red or black. The skin is covered with warts. Woodhouse Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) It has a robust body and grows up to 5 inches. The skin is dry and covered in warts. There is a pale narrow line running through its back.
Name and etymology
Americanus: Meaning belonging to America
More illustrations
At a glance
Size
50 to 102 mm
Range
The anaxyrus americanus can be found in Central and Eastern United States up north to Quebec in Canada.
Habitat
The American Toad inhabits moist places with a lot of insects such as farmlands, parks, mountains and forests. Their diet con…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap