American Toad (Juvenile)

Description:

A relatively new toad, no more than 3/4 inch snout to vent length (SVL). Reddish warts encircled in black on the toad's dorsal (back) side.

Habitat:

Spotted this little fellow on a rocky embankment of a forest stream. American toads require a semi-permanent freshwater pond or pool with shallow water in which to breed and for their early development. They also require dense patches of vegetation, for cover and hunting grounds. Given these two things and a supply of insects for food, American toads can live almost everywhere, ranging from forests to flat grassland

Notes:

Adult toads are mostly nocturnal, although juveniles are often abroad by day. This juvenile was spotted at approximately 4pm in the afternoon. Technically this is the Eastern American Toad, Bufo americanus americanus. There is another subspecies of American Toad called the Dwarf American Toad, Bufo americanus charlesmithi, but its distribution in Missouri is only in the southern portion of the state.