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| The American Toad is light to dark brown with 1 or 2 raised brown "warts" within each dark spot on body, and is 5-11 cm in size. Behind each eye there are two raised kidney-shaped glands known as the paratoid glands. 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. The American Toad is Algonquin Highlands’ most terrestrial amphibian and is often found some distance from water, wherever there are abundant insects and moisture. It is most active after rain and in the evenings, and is often found in urban areas and gardens. American Toads breed in April and May depending on water temperature, in temporary ponds or shallow areas of large, permanent ponds. The male Toad's call is a pleasant, uninterrupted fifteen to twenty second trill that can be heard over some distance. The lower the temperature, the longer the trill. Males sit along the shoreline, on logs, or on floating leaves of winter-killed vegetation to better expose their vocal pouches. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so. |
(Family Bufonide)
Bufo americanus
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