Description
Fowler's Toad is a large yellow, green or brown toad with a light stripe down the middle of
the back and large dark blotches. It has elongate
parotoid glands which contact its
prominent cranial crests. Adults can
reach up to 6 cm.
Call
The call of the
Fowler's Toad sounds like a crying baby or a nasal "waaa", lasting two to five seconds.
Confusing Species
The American Toad overlaps the Canadian
distribution of the Fowler's Toad. The parotoid glands of the American Toad do not contact its
cranial crests. These species occasionally hybridize.
Distribution
In Canada, Fowler's Toad is limited to a small number of locations along the north shore of
Lake Erie. It is also found in the eastern United States.
Habitat
Fowler's Toad is found in sandy shoreline and peninsula habitat where it breeds in backwater
marshes.
Reproduction
Calling may begin in late April but breeding usually occurs in May when evening temperatures
are above 14oC. The breeding season may be interrupted by cool weather resulting in
groups of tadpoles born, and completing metamorphosis at different times during the summer.
Over 6000 eggs may be laid by each female. At cool temperatures, tadpole development is a bit
slower than that of the American Toad.
Natural History
Fowler's Toads are preyed upon by garter snakes, water snakes and raccoons. Maturity may be
reached as young as one year but normally takes two years. Individuals up to four years old
have been found in the wild.
Conservation Concerns
Fowler's Toads rely on early successional shoreline habitats which are both created and
destroyed by severe storms. As a result their populations fluctuate substantially, but there
is no evidence for an overall declining trend. The species is considered vulnerable in Canada
by COSEWIC
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