# 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. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![North American Toads](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo_woodhousii.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_woodhousii.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Anaxyrus ## 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 - **Instant Burrow:** North American Toads can quickly dig backwards into soft soil with their strong hind legs to hide from danger. - **Camouflage Master:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Large owls can prey on toads, despite their toxins. - **Eats:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons might eat toads, often avoiding the toxic skin. - **Hunts:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Toads consume various invertebrates, including slugs. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [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:** 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 ### How does North American Toads hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Vicksburg National Military Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vicksburg-national-military-park) — Mississippi, US · Park ## 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: [North American Toads: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-toads)