Fowler's Toad

Description:

Fowler's toad looks similar to the American toad, though it is slightly smaller and has several subtle distinguishing features. It has 3 or more warts within each dark spot on its back. There are no greatly enlarged warts on the tibia and the parotoid gland touches the cranial crests behind the eyes. The color is usually gray or greenish gray without reddish or rusty colors. Toads are oftentimes encountered on roads, even on dry nights. Fowler's toads can be identified on the road (by professional toadwatchers) while driving at speeds in excess of 60 mph. This species makes a series of quick, short hops to get off the road, while the American toad only makes a few larger hops. B. fowleri is known to reproduce in warmer seasons of the year, usually between the months of May and June. Breeding sites are located in shallow waters that are very open, including farm ponds, lake edges, marshes, and woodland ponds. Breeding habits of B. fowleri are very similar to Bufo americanus. The adults eat insects and other small terrestrial invertebrates, but shy away from earthworms, unlike their close relative, Bufo americanus. As a tadpole, Bufo fowleri use their mouth, which is rimmed with tooth-like structures, to scrape attached algae from rocks and plants. The tadpoles are also known to feed on bacteria and other organic material from the water.

Habitat:

Fowler's toads prefer living in open woodlands, sand prairies, meadows, and beaches. They like to burrow into the ground during hot, dry periods and in the wintertime