# Gulf Coast Toad (*Incilius nebulifer*) The Gulf Coast Toad is a small, bumpy toad that loves to hop around in warm, wet places. They are great at blending in with their surroundings and can be found near ponds and marshes. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Gulf Coast Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo_nebulifer.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stanley Trauth, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_nebulifer.jpg) ## Appearance The Gulf Coast Toad is a medium-sized amphibian, typically brown, gray, or olive, with darker blotches and a light stripe down its back. It has warty skin and prominent kidney-shaped parotoid glands behind its eyes, which distinguish it from many frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Incilius ## Interesting facts - Gulf Coast Toad tadpoles sometimes swim in huge groups called 'schools' to look like one big creature! - Their eyes have horizontal pupils, which help them see predators approaching from above! - These toads prefer to walk or make short hops instead of big jumps, unlike many frogs! - They gulp air with tiny movements of their throat, not by breathing through lungs like us! ## Special abilities - **Defense Potion Power:** Gulf Coast Toads have parotoid glands that produce toxins to make predators spit them out quickly. - **Super Digger Feet:** Gulf Coast Toads have hard 'spades' on their hind feet that help them quickly burrow backwards into soft soil for safety. - **Color Blend Master:** Gulf Coast Toads can subtly adjust their skin tone to blend into their surroundings, making them tricky for predators to spot. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-13 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2000-7000 - **Metamorphosis:** 30-60 days ## Diet & Feeding These toads are nocturnal hunters, munching on insects and other small invertebrates they find on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, crickets, spiders, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Western Ribbonsnake (*Thamnophis proximus*) — A common snake predator in its natural habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Nocturnal owls frequently prey on toads at night. - **Hunts:** Silky Ant (*Formica subsericea*) — Actively hunts and consumes ground-dwelling ants. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Omnivorous mammals, like raccoons, will eat toads. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching a toad, as their skin can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Gulf Coast 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 Gulf Coast Toad? 5-13 cm ### How much does Gulf Coast Toad weigh? 0.02-0.1 kg ### How long does Gulf Coast Toad live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Gulf Coast Toad move? 2 km/h ### What does Gulf Coast Toad eat? These toads are nocturnal hunters, munching on insects and other small invertebrates they find on the ground. ### Where is Gulf Coast Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Gulf Coast Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-st-jean-baptiste-state-historic-site) — Louisiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Houston Arboretum and Nature Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Bracken Cave](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bracken-cave) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark - [Causeyville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/causeyville-historic-district) — Mississippi, US · Historic District [View all places to see Gulf Coast Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/gulf-coast-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: [Gulf Coast Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gulf-coast-toad)