Fowler’s Toad

Scientific Name: Anaxyrus fowleri
Size: 2-3.7 inches (5-9.5 cm) in length
Status: Species of special concern
PAHERP Resource: Toad’s of Pennsylvania

Habitat:
Lowland, open habitat with sandy, gravelly or well drained soil near streams or rivers.

Description:
Medium-sized species. Usually brown to gray in color with a light stripe down the back . It's back will be covered with several dark spots each containing three or more warts with two large warts immediately behind the eyes. Their belly's are white with a single dark spot. The males tend to be darker than the females. The cranial crest are well-developed with the postorbital branches behind the eyes. The parotids are prominent, elongate, slightly divergent posteriorly, and make contact with the postorbital crest.

Adult Coloration:
  • The dorsal background color ranges from light brown to grey with a series of irregular, paired dark spots on each side of the middorsal like of the back. Each spot has 4-6 large warts.
  • A light thin dorsal stripe may be present.
  • The ventral color is dirt cream colored without spotting or with a single spot in the center of the chest.
Adult Characteristics:
  • The body is squat and stout.
  • The legs are short and heavy.
  • The head is broad,
  • The eyes are prominent.
  • The cranial crest are well-developed with the postorbital branches behind the eyes. The parotids are prominent, elongate, slightly divergent posteriorly, and make contact with the postorbital crest.
  • The dorsal skin is covered with various sized warts.
  • The ventral skin is rough and granular.
  • The toes of the hind legs are moderately webbed.
  • Small, less noticeable warts on tibia (lower section of the leg).
Larvae Characteristics:
  • Small. Average 1.8-2.4 cm
  • The body and tail are black or dark brown.
  • The tail fin is rounded and translucent.
  • The tail is short.
Range:

Listen to Calls:

May be Confused With:
References:
  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 134-138pp.
Credits:
  • Jeff Hankey
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Don Becker (psychoticnature.com)

Heads up!

Please contribute your observation of this and other herps to the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey. Your help is needed.

Submit Your Finding