
Our Southern Toad
Bufo terrestris
Photo credit: gator-woman.com
Toad Sounds
credit:
USGS
The Endangered
Amphibians of Florida
The Florida Toads
To begin: what is an amphibian?
Amphibian is from the Greek amphibios,
or two lives.
Amphibians are cold blooded animals that
spend time
both in and out of water. They usually go
through a change
or metamorphosis and become another
animal.
All Amphibians have thin skin which is quite susceptible
to
temperature changes, so they are careful
not to get too hot or
too cold.

Our Southern Toad
Bufo terrestris
Photo credit: gator-woman.com |
Florida has three Native True Toads:
the Southern, the Oak and the Fowler's Toads.
These Toads range in size from one to three inches.
Anything bigger than four inches may likely be an
invasive species like the Cane/Marine/Bufo Toad.
Our three Native Toads are harmless to people and pets.
Toads do not have the little clinging pads on
their feet like Treefrogs do and they have glands that
secrete fluids
that makes them taste bad to predators.
Toads have dry skin which is somewhat lumpy,
unlike frogs who are shiny and smooth
and Toads prefer dry areas, not wet.
The Southern Toad
Bufo terrestris
The Southern Toad is the most common in the Southeast
and its size ranges between one and three inches.
Ours is brown with small darker brown blotches.
He is a night eater, which we know first hand, as he
can be found on our patio very
early many mornings,
looking for his favorite breakfast of ants and cockroaches,
for which I personally want to thank him~
The Oak Toad
Bufo quercicus
Two things make this Toad easy to identify,
its size and its markings.
This tiny Toad is only about an inch and a half long,
making it the smallest Toad in the U.S.,
and it has a yellow
stripe down its back.
The Fowler's Toad
Bufo fowleri
In Florida this Toad is only found in the Panhandle.
Its size is between two to three inches, with a brown
body and a cream colored stripe on its back.
It prefers to live in sandy areas, shallow ponds,
road side ditches and our yards.
Non-Native Invasive Toads
The Cane/Marine, or Bufo Toad
This invader was either accidentally released in a Miami
Airport
or brought in from South America intentionally to deal
with
insects devouring the Sugar Cane Fields in South Florida.
Whichever story is true, they are now a big problem.
They are eating our Native Frogs and Toads statewide and if
they
are touched, licked or eaten by a dog, it can end badly for
the dog.
This predator is very similar in appearance to the Southern
Toad,
except that it is five times bigger, so there should be
no
problem in indentifying it.
We don't want frightened people running around
confusing harmless Southern Toads with this invader.
Various agencies in Florida are recommending a
so-called "Humane" way of eliminating the invader.
What ever they call it, it is not pleasant.
This Toad should not be here, it is from another Country,
and the thoughtless actions that brought it here, now leaves all
of us at odds with Human Nature, which is to protect Wildlife.
Amphibians have become the Canary of Wildlife,
and they are disappearing in unthinkable numbers.
Some of those who still remain are demonstrating
genetic alterations or anomalies and sexual morphing
and indicating clearly that our casual use of chemicals
is quite risky and having profound consequences.
The most significant fact of all, is that Amphibians
are not the only ones who are being affected.
Places to learn more:
Center for North American Herpetology
Anura: Frogs and Toads
Environmental Health News
Watching Florida's Water
Florida Museum of Natural History
Herpetology
Florida Nature: Anura
Frogs and Toads
Florida Wildlife Extension
Florida Frogs and Toads
Frogwatch USA
Frogs and Toads of Florida
Marshall University
Fowlers Toad
National Biological Information Infrastructure
Amphibians
San Diego Zoo
Animal Bytes:
Amphibians
Science Daily
Agriculture Linked to Abnormalities
Amphibian
Ancient
Amphibians
Seaworld
Frog Listening
Network
Smithsonian
Marine Toad
St. Louis Zoo
Amphibians
University of Florida
Florida's Frogs
and Toads
Fowler's Toad
Frogs and Toads of
Florida
Oak Toad
Southern Toad
USDA
Cane/Bufo/Marine Toad
USGS
Fowler's Toad
Frogs and Toads
Southern Toad
Walking with the Alligators

Write to Gator Woman
amberziek6 at centurylink.net

Keep Florida Wildlife Wild and Alive~
Web Design by:
Gator-Woman
Educating Visitors About Florida's Wildlife Since August 7, 2008
Last edited January 21, 2023
Links, questions and feedback are always appreciated.
Walking With The Alligators.com does not share or sell any visitor information.
2008 - 2023 Walking With The Alligators.com
All Rights Reserved.