Frog Identification Keys - Anaxyrus formerly Bufo (Toads)

Start | Acris | Gastrophryne | Hyla | Lithobates(Rana) | Pseudacris | Scaphiopus

• Eastern American Toad (A. americanus)

• Fowler's Toad (A. fowleri)

• Oak Toad (A. quercicus)

• Southern Toad (A. terrestris)

American Toad - americanus The parotoid glands are separated or connected to a postorbital ridge by a spur.	Fowler's Toad - fowleri Parotoid glands in direct contact with the postorbital ridges.	Southern Toad - terrestris Pronounced knobs near the rear of the interorbital crests.

When inflated the vocal sack of the vocal sack americanus, fowleri and terrestris has a rounded shape	When inflated the vocal sack of quercicus has a sausage like shape.

Due to frequent hybridization between americanus and fowleri and to a lesser degree terrestris, some toads may exhibit the characteristics of one or more species. The oak toad is the only species of Anaxyrus (formerly Bufo) not known to hybridize.

If the toad:

• Has only one or two large warts in each of the largest dorsal dark spots.

• Has dark spots on the chest and anterior part of the abdomen.

• Has enlarged warts on the tibia.

• Has parotoid glands that are separated from or connected to a postorbital ridge by a short spur (see above drawing).

Then the toad is an Eastern American Toad (Anaxyrus (formerly Bufo) americanus americanus)

If the toad:

• Has three or more large warts in each of the largest dorsal dark spots.

• Has a virtually unspotted chest and abdomen.

• Has no greatly enlarged warts on the tibia.

• Has parotid glands that touch the postorbital ridge (see above drawing).

Then the toad is a Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus (formerly Bufo) fowleri)

If the toad:

• Is found in the Southeastern portion of Virginia.

• Has pronounced knobs and high cranial crests (see above drawing).

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