Characteristics:
A large toad (for this area) reaching a body length of around 4in. The colors of this toad vary quite a bit from brown to reddish-brown to tan. Often times there is a thin light stripe down the back. The dark markings on the back typically have 1 to 3 warts in them. Also the warts on the lower leg are larger than the upper leg. The cranial crests of the American toad are very pronounced. These toads are very similar in appearance to the Fowler's toad.
*Note: There are two subspecies in this area. The eastern American toad (B. a. americanus) and the dwarf American toad (B. a. charlesmithi).
Habitat:
Found in nearly all habitats in IL and MO. Forests, flood plains, prairies, even suburban neighborhoods.
Behavior:
This is the most common species of toad in this area. During April and May they congregate in large numbers at breeding sites. During this time males can be heard calling to attract females. The females lay long strings of eggs that hatch in a very short time (~ a week) into small black tadpoles.
Personal Remarks:
I can hardly go out side even in my own yard without seeing one of these. They are so common in this area. All I have to do is walk the street at night and look under the streetlights. They hang around them looking for insects all night. During the breeding season I can hear these guys calling from pretty much any location with a bit of water.
A large toad (for this area) reaching a body length of around 4in. The colors of this toad vary quite a bit from brown to reddish-brown to tan. Often times there is a thin light stripe down the back. The dark markings on the back typically have 1 to 3 warts in them. Also the warts on the lower leg are larger than the upper leg. The cranial crests of the American toad are very pronounced. These toads are very similar in appearance to the Fowler's toad.
*Note: There are two subspecies in this area. The eastern American toad (B. a. americanus) and the dwarf American toad (B. a. charlesmithi).
Habitat:
Found in nearly all habitats in IL and MO. Forests, flood plains, prairies, even suburban neighborhoods.
Behavior:
This is the most common species of toad in this area. During April and May they congregate in large numbers at breeding sites. During this time males can be heard calling to attract females. The females lay long strings of eggs that hatch in a very short time (~ a week) into small black tadpoles.
Personal Remarks:
I can hardly go out side even in my own yard without seeing one of these. They are so common in this area. All I have to do is walk the street at night and look under the streetlights. They hang around them looking for insects all night. During the breeding season I can hear these guys calling from pretty much any location with a bit of water.
