American Toads are among the most abundant and widespread toads in North America, especially common throughout the eastern U.S., from New England down to Tennessee. They’re also frequently found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and around the Great Lakes. If you’ve lived in these areas or nearby states, you’ve likely seen these toads since childhood. In this article we learn some interesting facts about American Toads and discover what makes them unique.
15 Facts About American Toads
American toads are plump and stocky. They measure about 2 to 4.5 inches and vary in color. They might be tan, brown, reddish, olive, or variations of those colors.
1. They Are A “Cryptic Species”
There are three subspecies of American toads: Eastern, Dwarf, and very rare Hudson Bay. These are known as “cryptic species,” and it takes an expert to identify them.
Cryptic species means they have an identical physical appearance, so you can’t tell them apart just by looking at them. At the genetic level however, they are distinct.
2. Newly Metamorphosed Toads Are Called Toadlets
Baby American toads that have just emerged from the water are called toadlets. American toadlets are often lighter colored and grow darker as they get older.
Little toadlets spend their time on the ground and usually show up after rains and standing water. They are carnivorous and eat insects and other small prey.
3. The Oldest American Toad Lived 36 Years
The oldest American toad ever recorded lived to be 36 years old in captivity. The poor toad suffered an unfortunate accident and died, so it’s possible it could have lived longer.
American toads can live to be up to 10 years in the wild. Wild toads fact many more dangers and difficulties than the cushy life of captive toads, so their life expectancy tends to be lower. They usually end up as prey or succumb to environmental factors.
4. One Toad Can Eat Up To 1,000 Insects A Day
American toads love insects. Worms, spiders, ants, and other creepy crawlies make up the primary diet of toads.
One American toad is capable of eating up to 1,000 insects in one day in the wild. That’s a lot of bugs. Therefore, they can make a significant impact on insect populations. They also need to live in habitats with thriving insect populations.
5. They secrete toxins
American toads’ primary defense against predators is a toxin they secrete called Bufotoxin. The toxin is secreted from their parotoid glands, which are located behind their eyes. This toxin can cause mild to severe reactions in animals that attempt to eat them, ranging from a bad taste and mouth irritation to nausea or even death for smaller predators.
American toad tadpoles also produce bufotoxin, making them toxic even at this early life stage. This helps protect the tadpoles from some aquatic predators, deterring fish and other animals that might otherwise try to eat them. While their toxicity is generally less potent than in adults, it still offers a significant survival advantage during their vulnerable time in the water.
Bufotoxin doesn’t typically harm humans, though it can cause skin irritation if touched. It’s always best to wash your hands after handling a toad to avoid potential irritation.
6. Garter Snakes Are Immune To Toad Toxins
Few predators can handle the American toad’s toxins. However, garter snakes have adapted to be immune to the toad’s toxins. As a result, they can eat a toad and are not affected by the poison.
Studies show Garter snakes retain the toxin in their body as a defense against predators. So American toad toxins are beneficial not just to the toad themselves but also to garter snakes.
7. Females Lay Thousands Of Eggs At A Time
Female American toads can lay between 4,000 to 8,000 eggs at a time. Eggs are laid in two rows of jelly-like long spiral tubes. It takes between 3 to 14 days for eggs to hatch, depending on temperature. The eggs are ignored by the parents once they’re laid, they don’t attempt to stick around and protect them.
8. Eggs Are Counter-Shaded
American toad eggs are actually counter-shaded. This means they are lighter on the bottom and darker on the top for camouflage.
From underneath, the light color blends in with the water surface to hide from fish and other creatures swimming below. From above, the eggs blend in the darker surroundings in the water to hid from predators looking into the water.
9. They Transform From Herbivore To Carnivore In Their Lifecycle
American toad tadpoles start their life as herbivores. They feed on algae and other plant materials in the water.
When they emerge from the water as adults, they become carnivores. They then begin to eat insects and other invertebrates.
10. They Have A Recognizable Call
During the mating season, from spring until late summer, male American toads court females by calling. Their call is a distinctive, long, high-pitched trill that can last from 4 to 30 seconds. Each male’s call is unique, and while they may sound pretty much the same to a human ear, females are able to hear the slight differences. They can use these unique calls to identify and locate the particular male they want to mate with.
11. Their Skin Color Changes
The American toad has skin that changes color according to the environment they are in. The different colors of their skin can range from dark reddish brown to light red or dark brownish gray to light brown to yellow.
Depending on temperature, humidity, and stress, the toad’s skin changes color to help them camouflage themselves from predators. They also change color when they are in danger.
12. They Are A Popular Pet
American toads make great pets because they’re really easy to care for. One toad needs at least a 10-gallon aquarium to house it.
Pet toads enjoy having leaf litter or substrate to hide under. They also require live prey to eat, like crickets or other insects. However, you should never remove a toad from the wild and keep it as a pet.
13. They Have Nearly A 360 Degree Field Of Vision
Because of the position of their eyes, American toads can see nearly 360 degrees around them without moving their head. This allows toads to sit very still while watching for prey, and can wait until they are in the perfect position before attacking. Their full field of vision also protects them from predators. A toad can see most predators sneaking up behind them.
14. They Have Warts But Don’t Cause Them
There’s a common myth that toads can give people warts. While the American toad’s body is covered in warts, it does not cause warts in humans.
American toads secrete toxins that might irritate human skin. They might also carry bacteria or other microbes, so it’s important to wash your hands after handling a toad.
15. They Recognize Their Siblings
American toads return back to the water that they hatched from when they’re adults to breed. Since there are thousands of them, there’s a chance they encounter their siblings.
The toads recognize their siblings and don’t breed with them. This prevents genetic defects from incest in the toads. Scientists are still trying to understand just how they are able to recognize each other.
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