Anaxyrus americanus
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Amphibia |
| Order: Anura |
| Family: Bufonidae |
| Genus: Anaxyrus |
| Species: Anaxyrus americanus |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
American toads are variable in color depending on their habitat, humidity, and temperature.They can range from brown to red to black and can either be solid in color or speckled with pale white bellies that are usually spotted. They have large parotoid glands behind their eyes and skin covered in noticeable warts.
Habitat & Range
American toads can be found almost anywhere, ranging from woods to grassy areas. They are present throughout large portions of North America, particularly in Canada, Great Lakes region, and northeastern states in the US.
Behavior
American toads are nocturnal. During the day, they will hide under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They are most active during the night to feed.
Life Cycle
Typically, breeding occurs during spring and summer months as temperatures begin to warm. After assessing the quality of the mating calls, females will select a mate and lay eggs in the territory. They can lay up to thousands of eggs that eventually hatch into tadpoles. The tadpoles spend around 40 to 70 days in this stage before transforming into adults.
Featured image by James Dake