Family: Bufonidae, Toads view all from this family

Description 2-4 3/8" (5.1-11.1 cm). Large, with elongate parotoid glands not touching prominent cranial crests or connected by spur. Brown to brick-red to olive, with various patterns in lighter colors. Spots brownish, warts brown to orange-red. Light stripe down middle of back may be present. Belly usually spotted. Male has dark throat.

Warning Toads have enlarged glands (called the paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heart beat, and, in extreme cases, death. Toads pose a danger to pets, which may pounce on and bite them. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.

Subspecies Eastern (B. a. americanus), with 1 or 2 warts in each dark spot on back; Manitoba to the Maritime Provinces, south in the East to Louisiana, north through Tennessee and Kentucky, west through Indiana to ne. Kansas, and north to Canada.
Dwarf American (B. a. charlesmithi), small, with 1 wart in each dark spot on back; se. Kansas through c. Missouri to sw. Illinois and Indiana, south in the East to ne. Louisiana and west to e. Oklahoma.

Voice   A pleasant musical trill lasting up to 30 seconds.

Breeding March to July. Egg strings are attached to vegetation.

Habitat Common in a variety of habitats from mowed grassy yards to heavily forested mountains; wherever there are abundant insects and moisture.

Range In Canada from se. Manitoba to James Bay and Labrador, south in the east through Maritime Provinces, New England, and the Appalachian Mountains; west from c. Georgia to e. Oklahoma and Kansas; north through Wisconsin into Canada.

Discussion Primarily nocturnal. It is a prodigious insect eater. The American Toad can be distinguished from Woodhouse's Toad by the separation of the parotoid glands from the cranial crests. However, occasionally hybrids are found.