American Toad

Anaxyrus americanus

Description

The American toad is found in the northwest half of Mississippi. Colors include gray, brown, brick-red, often with yellow patches. One or more of the cranial crests are connect by a small spur to the paratoid glands, which is a character that can be used to differentiate from other toads. Underside usually spotted, and largest blotches usually only contain 1-2 warts (Powell et al., 2016). The dwarf American toad (Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi) is the only subspecies found in Mississippi.

American Toad crossing a road after a storm, Claiborne Co. (MS)

Identifying Traits

  • Cranial crest connected to paratoid glands by “spurs”
  • Spotting on venter
  • 1-2 warts in largest blotches, large warts on tibia
Range

Call

One of a couple of Dwarf American Toads calling (prominent “whirring” call in this recording) among H. chrysoscelis (trilled call)
Dwarf American Toad (prominent “whirring” call in recording), Warren Co. MS

Habitat

Nearly any body of water to breed, urban areas, forests, prairies (Powell et al., 2016)

Diet

Various invertebrates

Dwarf American Toad cranial crests, Warren Co. (MS)
Male Dwarf American Toad calling in a small suburban wetland, Warren Co. (MS)
Reddish colored American Toad crossing a road after a storm, Claiborne Co. (MS)
Toads active in a wetland after spring rains, Warren Co. (MS)