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Description
The American Toad is a large, squat toad with warty brown, reddish or olive skin and variously coloured
spots and skin glands. There is often a light line down the middle of the back. It is distinguished from
other toads by its long parotoid glands which do
not touch its prominent cranial crests.
Maximum adult size is 11 cm.
Call
The call is a monotone
trill up to 30 seconds long, preceded by a single, slightly lower introductory note. In a breeding chorus
each male selects a different note to call on.
Confusing Species
The American Toad is the only toad in most of eastern Canada.It overlaps with the
Canadian Toad in central Manitoba. The cranial crests of
the Canadian Toad are fused into a bony hump between the eyes. In extreme southern Ontario it also
overlaps with the Fowler's Toad, whose parotoid glands touch the
cranial crests. American Toads can hybridize with these two species which makes identification more
difficult in the zones of overlap.
Distribution
The American Toad is widespread throughout the eastern half of Canada from the central Manitoba and
southern James Bay to Labrador and Prince Edward Island. It is also widespread through the eastern United
States.
Habitat
American Toads are found in a wide variety of terrestrial habitats from mown grass and gardens to heavily
forested areas. They inhabit ponds only during the breeding season and as larvae. Breeding occurs in warm,
shallow ponds, shallow streams and river margins and even large puddles and roadside ditches.
Reproduction
American Toads breed from late March to early June depending on how far north they are. Eggs are laid in
two strands which are wrapped around aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch in a few days to a few weeks and
the tadpole stage lasts 50-65 days. Emerging toadlets are among the smallest newly transformed amphibians
and soon disperse into the surrounding habitat.
Natural History
American Toads hibernate on land and burrow beneath the frost line in the soil. Both tadpoles and toads
have poison glands in the skin which reduce their susceptibility to predators. A dog which picks up a
toad will drop it and foam at the mouth but will not be hurt. They eat insects and small soil creatures
such as worms and slugs.
Conservation Concerns
American Toads are easily attracted to backyard ponds and gardens. There is no evidence that they have
declined.
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