3 Species of Toads in Pennsylvania 

The state of Pennsylvania has a diverse geographical landscape. This includes the 57 miles of sandy shores along the Delaware River, the Appalachian mountains, valleys, forests, and wetlands. Due in large part to the availability of varying habitats, Pennsylvania is a haven for mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. This article will explore some of those amphibians, the toads.

3 Species of Toads In Pennsylvania

The toads found in Pennsylvania are the Eastern American toad, Fowler’s toad, and the Eastern Spadefoot toad.

1. Eastern American Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus americanus

The most common of the toads in Pennsylvania, this species is found in forests, prairies, and even backyards. Pretty much anywhere there is vegetation (in which to hunt) and freshwater (in which to breed).

An adult will grow to be about 2 to 3.5 inches. Color variations include brown, olive, and dark red. Typically, they have yellow patches and warts on the back and legs.

The diet of the Eastern American toad consists of crickets, moths, ants, worms, and spiders. They will sit and wait for prey to come their way rather than active hunt. Their predators include birds, snakes, and fish.

However, this toad (and others) have a great defense against their enemies. They have glands that produce bufotoxin, a poisonous fluid. While it is rarely lethal, it makes them taste bad enough that many predators will spit them out.

Their mating call sounds like a high-pitched, repetitive trill. During the mating season, males call nearly non-stop to attract a female. American Toads breed in shallow water bodies such as temporary pools, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams, which provide ideal conditions for egg laying and tadpole development. Eggs laid by American Toads typically hatch within 10 to 30 days, and it takes around 60 to 120 days to go from tadpole to adult toad. 

These toads are mostly nocturnal, and during the day they shelter under leaves piles, logs and rocks. Eastern American toads can tolerate colder temperatures than the other common toad in the state, Fowler’s toad. Because of this, they start their winter hibernation later than Fowler’s toads, and emerge in the spring earlier. 

2.  Fowler’s Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus fowleri

Named in honor of naturalist Samuel Fowler, this species of toad is found in the open lowlands of Pennsylvania near rivers and streams.

Adults typically measure between 2 to 3.5 inches in length, exhibiting a sturdy and somewhat stocky build with warty and rough skin. The coloration of Fowler’s Toads ranges from brown and gray to olive green, often with darker blotches and spots scattered across their backs and sides. This color scheme helps them blend into leaf litter and forest floors.

Fowlers Toads breed in spring and early summer. Males will call to females from shallow water, and females lay eggs in long strings. There can be up to 20,000 eggs in one clutch. Tadpoles take about two months to transform into adult toads.

This species preys upon insects and small invertebrates like snails and worms. They hunt during the night and rest in hidden spots during the day. Their predators include birds, snakes, and small mammals.

Like other toads, they secrete toxin that can harm potential predators. In most cases it just makes them taste terribly bitter and the predator will drop the toad and suffer some minor mouth irritation.

Like other toads, they will burrow to get away from dry, hot conditions. Their preference is wet, humid weather. Though not endangered, there are concerns about the Fowler’s toad. Off-road vehicles and pesticides are causing damage to their habitat.

3. Eastern Spadefoot Toad

Scientific name: Scaphiopus holbrooki

This species is not considered a “true toad” because it has different characteristics from traditional toads. They have vertical pupils and their skin is smoother and wetter than most toads.

However, they share more characteristics of the toad than not. So they’re referred to as toads. Sometimes they are even called toad frogs!

The Eastern Spadefoot is named for the spur that protrudes from its back heel and resembles a spade, which helps them dig. They have grayish or brown skin and small warts. 

The Eastern Spadefoot will spend most of its life burrowed underground in sandy soil. It will use its foot spike to burrow, then curl up, and excrete a liquid that will help with moisture. They come out only to breed or when they need food, often choosing to emerge on nights that are humid or after rain.

This toad species has one of the quickest reproduction rates of any amphibian. Depending on the air and water temperature, eggs can hatch anywhere between 12 hours to 7 days after fertilization.

Unfortunately, Eastern Spadefoot Toads are a threatened species in the state. Destruction of the wetlands is a serious threat to their survival. There are conservation plans that hope to maintain their current habitat and create new habitat. 

People that handle this toad often say they have a peppery smell due to their skin secretions. Some people have an allergic reaction, (sneezing, wheezing, red eyes) after handing them.

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10 Fun Facts About Toads

1. Toads aren’t harmful to humans but their skin toxins can cause irritation if they are handled.
2. Lay eggs in strings.
3. Toads have less webbing on their feet than frogs, making them better at walking on land.
4. Humans cannot get warts from toads, that is only an old myth
5. There are over 300 toad species around the world.
6. A group of toads is called a “knot”.
7. Toads will NOT be found in Antarctica.
8. Toads can carry salmonella and can transfer it to humans.
9. Some toads will eat the skin they shed they recycle nutrients.
10. Toads have lovely singing voices.