Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Gastrophryne carolinensis

The Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad is a small, cute toad that loves to hide in the grass. It has a special narrow mouth that helps it eat tiny bugs and worms.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad is a small, plump amphibian with a distinctive pointed snout and a fold of skin behind its head. Its smooth, grayish-brown to reddish-brown skin often has dark blotches or a light stripe, providing subtle camouflage.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyMicrohylidaeGenusGastrophryne

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Interesting facts

Their super sticky tongue is perfect for snatching up thousands of tiny ants!

They have a special fold of skin behind their head to keep dirt out of their eyes while burrowing!

This little toad's cry sounds just like a bleating lamb or buzzing wasp!

When food is scarce, they can stay underground for months, waiting for rain!

Special abilities

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad has a special sticky skin secretion that helps deter predators by making them unpalatable.

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad can capture tiny ants using its sticky tongue because they are its primary food source.

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad can dig backwards into soft soil using its hind legs to hide from predators or dry conditions.

Measurements & details

Length: 2.2-3.8 cm
Weight: 0.002-0.01 kg
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Top Speed: 0.1 km/h
Clutch Size: 500-8000
Metamorphosis: 20-70 days

Diet & Feeding

These tiny toads are insectivores, mostly eating ants and other small invertebrates.

Age differences: Tadpoles eat algae and detritus; adults are insectivores.

Primary Foods

Ants
Termites
Small Beetles
Mites
Spiders

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Snakes often prey on small, ground-dwelling toads.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons foraging in damp areas may find these toads.

hunts

Black Garden Ant

Lasius niger

A primary food source, the toad consumes many ant species.

eaten by

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Wading birds in marshy areas may catch adult toads.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Thermoregulating

Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.