# 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. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gastrophryne_carolinensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: From http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/armiatlas/species.cfm?recordID=173468, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gastrophryne_carolinensis.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Microhylidae - **Genus:** Gastrophryne ## 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 - **Sticky Shield:** Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad has a special sticky skin secretion that helps deter predators by making them unpalatable. - **Ant Snatcher:** Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad can capture tiny ants using its sticky tongue because they are its primary food source. - **Dirt Diver:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons foraging in damp areas may find these toads. - **Hunts:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Lasius niger*) — A primary food source, the toad consumes many ant species. - **Eaten by:** [Green Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-heron) (*Butorides virescens*) — Wading birds in marshy areas may catch adult toads. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for 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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching toads, as their skin can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Narrow-mouthed 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 Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad? 2.2-3.8 cm ### How much does Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad weigh? 0.002-0.01 kg ### How long does Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad live? 3-6 years ### How fast can Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad eat? These tiny toads are insectivores, mostly eating ants and other small invertebrates. ### Where is Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-wetumpka-commercial-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gloucester Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gloucester-downtown-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Isaac Franklin Plantation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/isaac-franklin-plantation) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site - [Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Charleston, South Carolina)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/magnolia-plantation-and-gardens-charleston-south-carolina) — South Carolina, US · Botanical Garden - [Centreville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centreville-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Home Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-home-avenue-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-narrow-mouthed-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: [Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-narrow-mouthed-toad)