EASTERN AMERICAN TOAD
Anaxyrus americanus americanus
These toads have one of the broadest ranges of all the true toads. They occur throughout the Eastern United States and are found statewide in Missouri.
They are highly variable in coloration. They may be olive, brown, tan, yellowish, charcoal gray or even reddish. The belly is white and nearly always and heavily mottled.
Length is 2-4.25 inches
They are the earliest toad to call in the spring. Their high pitched trill is frequently heard as early as March, if weather conditions are favorable. They are found in a wide range
of habitats, and will lay eggs in most any available water source. Tadpoles are black and easy spotted near shorelines of shallow ponds, lakes and slow moving streams and creeks.
They are highly variable in coloration. They may be olive, brown, tan, yellowish, charcoal gray or even reddish. The belly is white and nearly always and heavily mottled.
Length is 2-4.25 inches
They are the earliest toad to call in the spring. Their high pitched trill is frequently heard as early as March, if weather conditions are favorable. They are found in a wide range
of habitats, and will lay eggs in most any available water source. Tadpoles are black and easy spotted near shorelines of shallow ponds, lakes and slow moving streams and creeks.
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Phots by Ben Dalton
Science project: Gather up some tadpoles and place them in a aquarium. Put pea pebbles on the bottom and use a bubbler to aerate the water. Use a chlorine remover to remove harmful chemicals from the water. Feed them lettuce, spinach and a commercial frog and tadpole pellet.
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Fun Fact: Although toads are usually covered in warts, they cannot give YOU warts. However they do secrete a fluid when threatened that some individuals may be sensitive to that can cause raised, painless blisters on their skin. |
