North American Toads

Anaxyrus

North American toads are small, bumpy creatures that love to hop around! They have a great sense of hearing and can be found near water or in gardens, making them fun to spot.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The North American Toads have a stocky body with rough, warty skin that ranges in color from dull browns and greys to olive green, often with dark spots. They possess prominent parotoid glands behind their eyes, which distinguish them from most frogs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyBufonidaeGenusAnaxyrus

Photo from Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 2.5View original ↗

North American Toads

Interesting facts

Baby toads, called tadpoles, often swim in massive, dark schools.

Some male toads 'sing' loud choruses at night to attract a mate.

Their super sticky tongues can flick out faster than you can blink.

Toads absorb water through their skin, so they don't need to drink!

Special abilities

North American Toads can quickly dig backwards into soft soil with their strong hind legs to hide from danger.

North American Toads have bumpy, patterned skin that perfectly blends with their earthy surroundings, making them hard to spot.

Measurements & details

Length: 5-19 cm
Weight: 0.05-0.5 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 2000-20000
Metamorphosis: 30-70 days

Diet & Feeding

Toads are mighty insect-eaters, helping control garden pests with their super sticky tongues.

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

Primary Foods

beetles
ants
spiders
worms
slugs
crickets

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

Eats

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Garter snakes are common predators of toads.

Eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Large owls can prey on toads, despite their toxins.

Eats

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons might eat toads, often avoiding the toxic skin.

Hunts

Leopard Slug

Limax maximus

Toads consume various invertebrates, including slugs.

Traits

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Solitary

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

Insectivorous

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

Longevous

This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

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.

Keystone Species

Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

Poisonous

Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact.

Nocturnal

Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Amphibians

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always wash your hands after touching a toad, as their skin can be sensitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify North American Toads?

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 North American Toads?

5-19 cm

How much does North American Toads weigh?

0.05-0.5 kg

How long does North American Toads live?

5-10 years

How fast can North American Toads move?

0.5 km/h

What does North American Toads eat?

Toads are mighty insect-eaters, helping control garden pests with their super sticky tongues.

Where is North American Toads usually found?

Wetlands