# 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. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 510 - **Habitat:** Gardens, fields, and forests - **Also known as:** Common Toad, Eastern Toad ![American Toad](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426744/objects/5657.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Anaxyrus ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## 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? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Ames Nowell State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ames-nowell-state-park) — Massachusetts, US · State Park - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Bean Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bean-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Brattleboro Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brattleboro-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District [View all places to see American Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-toad) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [American Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-toad)