HerpIndiana

Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus (Bufo) fowleri)

Description

Coloration: A medium-sized toad with warty tan or gray skin. They can sometimes even have a greenish tint to the skin, and it is generally lighter than that of the American Toad. Ventral coloration is very light, sometimes with one small dark spot under the throat. This helps distinguish them from American Toads, which often have very mottled bellies. Also, Fowler’s Toads have more than 3 warts in each large spot; American Toads generally have less than three (Minton 112-113). Also, the bony ridges behind the eyes of this species generally touch the parotid glands; those of the American Toad are either unattached or touching by only a small spur (Conant 515). Juveniles look similar to adults. Newly transformed Fowler’s Toads can be hard to tell apart from American Toads. At this age, it seems that the spots are large and encompass many warts in both species.

Size: This species grows to be around 3 inches SV length, though some can be a bit larger (Minton 113).

Larvae: Tadpoles are small and very dark, indistinguishable from those of the American Toad (Minton 113).

Eggs: Eggs are laid in long strands, with each individual egg a black dot (Minton 115).

Distribution

This species occurs throughout the state, though it is more prevalent in the southern half of the state and the northwestern sand prairies (Minton 114).

Activity

These toads are active from late spring to fall.

Breeding Season: Fowler’s Toads begin calling in late April or early May and continue through early July (Minton 114-115).

Taxonomy

Fowler’s Toads belong to the genus Bufo and the family Bufonidae, which is represented in Indiana by 2 species. Hybridization occurs with the American Toad throughout the state, and the hybrids are often very difficult to distinguish, showing markings of both species.

Natural History

Habitat: Fowler’s Toads are found in open, sandy areas. They will also occasionally inhabit rocky hills and tolerate suburban areas well (Minton 114). There is some habitat overlap with American Toads, though Fowler’s Toads definitely seem more common in sandy areas. While American Toads are more common in wooded upland areas, Fowler’s Toads can occasionally be found there as well.

Feeding: This species feeds on a variety of invertebrates (Minton 115).

Breeding: Fowler’s Toads breed from late April to early July in shallow water, often in temporary pools. Tadpoles transform in mid to late summer (Minton 114-115).

Call: Their call is a trill similar to that of the American Toads. Fowler’s Toads have a lower-pitched, nasal-sounding call (Conant 520).