American Toad
ExploreAmphibians
American Toad
Anaxyrus americanus
The American Toad is a friendly toad that loves to hop around in gardens! They have bumpy skin and big eyes.
Habitat: Gardens, fields, and forests
Appearance
The American Toad has dry, bumpy skin that ranges from brown and grey to reddish or olive-green. It often displays dark spots containing one or two warts, and usually has a light stripe down its back. Its large parotoid glands are located behind its eyes.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyBufonidaeGenusAnaxyrus
Category
AmphibiansRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
510
Interesting facts
A group of toads is surprisingly called a "knot."
American Toads can live for over 30 years in protected environments!
American Toads eat their own shed skin, full of nutrients!
They absorb water right through their skin, not by drinking!
Special abilities
Ability
Poisonous Protector
American Toads have special glands behind their eyes that release a mild toxin, making them taste bad to most animals trying to eat them.
Ability
Sticky Tongue Trap
American Toads can launch their long, sticky tongue incredibly fast to snatch up insects, which helps them catch wiggly prey for dinner.
Ability
Burrowing Boss
American Toads can dig into soft soil using their hind legs, creating safe underground shelters to stay cool and hide from danger.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 5-10 cm
- Weight
- 0.02-0.08 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 0.1 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2000-20000
- Metamorphosis
- 40-70 days
Diet & Feeding
These toads are insect-eating champions, gobbling up pesky bugs to keep gardens healthy!
Age differences: Tadpoles primarily feed on algae and plant matter, while adult toads are strict carnivores.
Primary Foods
- beetles
- ants
- worms
- slugs
- spiders
- crickets
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eats
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
A common predator of adult toads.
eats
Green Heron
Butorides virescens
Birds like herons often prey on toads.
eaten by
Silky Ant
Formica subsericea
Ants are a primary food source for toads.
eaten by
Tobacco Hornworm
Manduca sexta
Toads help control garden pests.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Common ToadEastern Toad
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify American Toad?
The easiest way to identify American Toad is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is American Toad?
5-10 cm
How much does American Toad weigh?
0.02-0.08 kg
How long does American Toad live?
5-10 years
How fast can American Toad move?
0.1 km/h
What does American Toad eat?
These toads are insect-eating champions, gobbling up pesky bugs to keep gardens healthy!
Where is American Toad usually found?
Gardens, fields, and forests
How does American Toad hunt?
Ambush
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 7, 2026
Skylandsi
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(c) gwt2102, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 6, 2026
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(c) Cam Fox, some rights reserved (CC BY)
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Jun 6, 2026
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(c) David Weisenbeck, some rights reserved (CC BY)
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Jun 5, 2026
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(c) Zachary Long, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 2, 2026
Kingston Stockade Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Dustin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
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Ames Nowell State Park
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