2 Types of Toads in Michigan (Pictures)

Toads live throughout North America. You can actually find toads on every continent worldwide, except Antarctica. However, there are only two species of toads in Michigan. Both are in the Family Bufonidae and are known as true toads.

The 11,037 inland lakes, 300 rivers, and 3,288 miles of freshwater shoreline in Michigan provide a great environment for toads to reproduce. Although all toads start as tadpoles living in water, not all species enjoy the water once they are adult toads. Generally, you can find Michigan toads in open landscapes, sandy areas, or suburban locations.

Although both toads and frogs are part of the Anura order, they are very different. Toads differ in various ways, including their skin type, sounds, and distinctive warts. Let’s learn more about the 2 types of toads in Michigan.

Toads in Michigan

The 2 species of toads in Michigan are the Eastern American toad and Fowler’s toad, here’s a little bit of info about each of these species. 

1. Eastern American Toad

Scientific name: Bufo americanus

The Eastern American Toad color ranges from red-brown, brown, or tan to gray or olive. Their underside is pale, with dark spots on the chest. They also have a grayish skin flap on their throat, which is their vocal pouch. Adults can grow up to 4.4 inches in length.

These toads enjoy the land and will only be in the water temporarily while breeding and laying eggs. They are also nocturnal and prefer warm and humid weather. You can find Eastern American toads throughout Michigan. Often in the forest edges, meadows, marshes, open woodlands, agricultural land, and suburban areas.

Eastern American toads eat various small invertebrates, such as mealworms, earthworms, spiders, slugs, ants, moths, and centipedes. They are also known to live over 30 years. Females lay thousands of eggs in two separate strings. The eggs hatch into tadpoles after 3 to 12 days and become juvenile toads after 50 to 65 days.

---

2. Fowler’s Toad

Scientific name: Bufo fowleri or Anaxyrus fowleri

Fowler’s toads are olive green, gray, brown, and rust red with darkened warts. Their bellies are usually whitish with an occasional dark spot. As they age, a pale stripe will develop down their back. They can grow up to 3.7 inches in length as adults. Fowler’s toads reproduce in May and June. Females will have between 7,000 to 10,000 eggs that hatch within a week later.

This toad prefers sandy areas, especially by rivers and shorelines. They can be found in the southern lower peninsula and far western areas of Michigan. They hunt at night and live underground during the day to prevent water loss.

If you’re curious about what Fowler toads eat, their diet mainly consists of insects and small invertebrates, contributing to their role in the ecosystem as effective predators.

Fowler’s toads are sometimes mistaken for American toads. However, the Fowler toad takes short, quick hops and has a loud, high-pitched, and long “waaaaaaaa” call. This call sounds like a herd of sheep.