Fowler's Toad

Anaxyrus fowleri is an abundant toad of relatively small size, ranging from 2.00-3.75 inches SVL. While this species usually displays an immaculate venter, many specimens have been observed to have a single dark spot on the chest. Characteristically, this species has a light-colored middorsal stripe, coupled with a brown or gray dorsal surface, though some individuals may have a green or reddish dorsal surface. In general, A. fowleri characteristically displays at least three of the following characteristics: tibia with no greatly enlarged warts, no spots on the chest or belly, the largest dark spots containing at least three warts, and a parotoid gland that borders the cranial ridge (Conant and Collins 1991). Similar species may be distinguished by the following features: 1) the American Toad displays no more than 2 warts in dark regions coupled with a spotted chest; 2) the Gulf Coast Toad possesses a prominent dark stripe instead of the light colored stripe observed in A. fowleri; and, 3) the posterior region of the cranial crest of the Southern Toad displays pronounced knobs.The species was named after an early Massachusetts naturalist, S. P. Fowler.

A. fowleri is abundant along the coastal plain from Long Island to North Carolina. Moving inland from the coast, sandy regions near lakes and river valleys provide an ample habitat for the species. Following periods of long drought, A. fowleri may be observed in large numbers in regions normally not associated with the species via the onset of warm, heavy rains. The toad is not observed in Florida and southern regions of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, but may range from central New England to western Michigan. This species may also be found in northwest regions of Arkansas and eastern Louisiana (Conant and Collins 1991).

The vocalizations of Fowler's Toad may last from 1-4 seconds. The mating season lasts from the spring months to mid-August. Hybridization can occur with other species, and the calls of hybrid males are difficult to identify (Conant and Collins 1991).