# Southern Toad (*Anaxyrus terrestris*) The Southern Toad is a small, bumpy toad that loves to hop around in the warm sun. They have a special call that sounds like a musical trill, especially during rainy nights. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 42 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Florida Toad ![Southern Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo_terrestris_0.jpg&width=800) Photo: Norman.benton, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo_terrestris_0.jpg) ## Appearance The Southern Toad is typically brown, gray, or reddish with dark spots and often has a distinct light stripe down its back. It has warty, dry skin and two large, prominent glands behind its eyes, which distinguish it from many frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Anaxyrus ## Interesting facts - A group of Southern Toads hanging out together is surprisingly called a "knot" of toads. - Males have a super loud, trilling "werrrr" call to attract mates from far away. - Southern Toads swallow food by pulling their eyeballs inward to help push it down! - Unlike us, these toads absorb all the water they need right through their skin! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Skin Defense:** Southern Toads have special glands behind their eyes that squirt a bad-tasting poison to warn off predators. - **Backward Burrower:** Southern Toads can dig themselves backward into the soil with their strong hind legs to hide from danger or stay cool. - **Color Camouflage:** Southern Toads can subtly change their skin color to better match their surroundings, helping them hide from sharp-eyed predators. - **Sticky Tongue Snatch:** Southern Toads can shoot out their long, sticky tongue incredibly fast to snatch up insects and other small prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-11 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.07 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2000-4000 - **Metamorphosis:** 40-70 days ## Diet & Feeding These toads are expert insect hunters, using their sticky tongues to catch all sorts of small critters. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and plant bits, but adults are hunters of insects and small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, crickets, slugs, earthworms, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Common Garter Snakes frequently prey on Southern Toads and their young. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons often hunt and eat toads they find foraging at night. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — Southern Toads frequently catch and eat field crickets using their sticky tongues. - **Hunts:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs, like the black slug, are a common food source for these 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. - [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. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching a toad, as their skin can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southern 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 Southern Toad? 5-11 cm ### How much does Southern Toad weigh? 0.02-0.07 kg ### How long does Southern Toad live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Southern Toad move? 2 km/h ### What does Southern Toad eat? These toads are expert insect hunters, using their sticky tongues to catch all sorts of small critters. ### Where is Southern Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Southern Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albemarle-and-chesapeake-canal) — Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Brunswick Old Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brunswick-old-town-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Columbia Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-canal) — South Carolina, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Southern Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southern-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: [Southern Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-toad)