Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus
Size: 2-3.5 inches (5-8.9 cm) in length
PA Status: Abundant
PAHERP Resource: Toad’s of Pennsylvania

Habitat Type:
Open, upland habitat like fields, meadows, rocky hillsides, forested areas, agricultural lands, and suburban backyards. During mating season it is found near water sources.

Colorations:

• The dorsal background color ranges from bright yellow to dark greyish black, reddish brown, or light grey with 3 to 4 pairs of large black spots on either side of the mid-line of the back. Each spot may have one to two large warts.
• The sides of the body are lighter then the dorsum with dark mottling.
• The ventral is cream colored with many black spots present on the chest and throat.

Characteristics:

• Medium-sized species.
• The body is squat and stout.
• The legs are short and heavy.
• The head is broad,
• The eyes are prominent with circular pupils.
• The cranial crest are well-developed with the postorbital branches in front of the parotioid glands. The parotids are prominent, elongate, parallel and are separated from the postorbital crest or barley touches then with one spur.
• The skin of the back, sides and dorsal of the legs are covered with variable sized cornified warts.
• The toes on the hind feet are moderately webbed.
• The inner and outer metatarsal tubercles are prominent.

Tadpole coloration and characteristics:

• Small. Average 1.8-2.5 cm
• The body and tail are black or dark brown.
• The tail fin is rounded and translucent.
• The tail is short.

Confused with:

• Fowler’s Toad
• Spadefoot Toad

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults








Tadpoles


Eggs
 

Range Map:



References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 130-134pp.

Photo Credits:

• Jason Poston
• Jeff Hankey
• Wayne Fidler
• Bob Hamilton
• Kyle Loucks
• Billy Brown