Status

Eastern American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) is the most widely-distributed toad species in eastern North America. This toad will breed in nearly any shallow pool of water, from pond and lakes, to marshes, to slow sections of rivers, and even in ditches or tire ruts. The call is a distinctive, musical trill, usually longer and more melodic than Fowler's. This toad may be found almost anywhere away from the breeding season, including in suburban yards. This species, like most toads, is a generalist predator of insects and other invertebrates (Conant & Collins, 1998; Maryland DNR site).

Description

American Toad may be distinguished from Fowler's Toad by counting the number of wart-like tubercles inside the largest dark spots. American has only 1-2, while Fowler's shows 3 or more. Additionally, American Toad shows pigmentation across the chest, while Fowler's is typically unmarked. The tibia of American shows enlarged warts, while Fowler's does not. Finally, the parotoid gland of American is separated from the cranial crest, or connected narrowly by a spur, while it is in broad contact on Fowler's.