Description

2-4 3/8". Large, with elongate parotoid glands not touching prominent carnial crest 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.

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 mountains; wherever there are abundant insects and moisture.

Subspecies

American, with 1 or 2 warts in each dark spot on back; Manitoba to the Maritime Provinces, south in East to Louisiana, north through Tennessee and Kentucky, west through Indaina to ne. Kansa, and north to Canada. Hudson Bay, with heavily spotted belly; Manitoba to James Bay and Labrador. Dwarf American, 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.

Other

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