Anaxyrus fowleri

Fowler's Toad

Fowler's toad, scientifically known as Anaxyrus fowleri, is a species of toad native to eastern North America. Its range spans across much of the eastern United States and extends into parts of southeastern Canada. Historically, it was considered a subspecies of Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii).

Description and Appearance

This toad is typically characterized by its variable coloration, which can include shades of brown, grey, olive green, and rust red, often overlaid with darkened, warty spots. Adult Fowler's toads are usually identifiable by a pale stripe that runs down their back. Their undersides are generally a uniform whitish color, though a single dark spot may be present. Males may appear darker overall than females. Adult toads commonly measure between 5 to 9.5 cm (2.0 to 3.7 inches) in head-body length. The tadpoles are oval-shaped with elongated tails and possess distinct upper and lower fins, reaching lengths of 1 to 1.4 cm (0.39 to 0.55 inches).

Habitat and Distribution

Fowler's toads inhabit a diverse range of open environments, including woodlands, sand prairies, meadows, and beaches. They are frequently found in areas adjacent to temporary or permanent wetlands, such as ponds, lakeshores, and marshes, which are critical for their reproduction. During hot, dry periods and throughout the winter, they exhibit burrowing behavior, seeking refuge underground. They also commonly hide beneath broad-leaved plants, within grass clumps, or in and under logs. At specific locations, such as Long Point in Ontario, Canada, they utilize shallow marshes and pools for breeding before moving to nearby dune and beach habitats during the summer.

Diet

The diet of adult Fowler's toads primarily consists of insects and other small terrestrial invertebrates. Interestingly, they tend to avoid earthworms, differentiating them from closely related species like the American toad. Tadpoles, in their aquatic phase, feed by scraping algae and bacterial mats from surfaces using specialized mouth structures.

Reproduction and Behavior

Breeding typically occurs during warmer months, particularly in May and June, within shallow aquatic settings like ponds and marshes. Male toads produce calls to attract females, and these vocalizations can also draw the attention of other males. A unique aspect is the "release call" emitted by a male when he mistakenly attempts to mate with another male. The effectiveness of male calls is influenced by their body size and ambient temperature, with females often selecting larger males. Males generally spend more time at breeding sites than females. After mating, females can lay between 7,000 to 10,000 eggs, which hatch within two to seven days. Fowler's toads are known to breed multiple times throughout the spring. Tadpoles may reach sexual maturity in one season, but this process can extend up to three years. The species is also known to hybridize with the American toad and Woodhouse's toad.

Fowler's toads employ several defensive strategies. They utilize camouflage coloration to blend with their surroundings and secrete a noxious compound from the warts on their backs. This secretion, containing toxic bufadienolides, is distasteful to predators and can be lethal to small mammals. They are also known to feign death. When relocated, they have been observed to move back in their original direction of travel rather than proceeding with normal movement patterns.

Conservation Status

Fowler's toad faces several conservation challenges. The protection of its breeding sites is considered a crucial conservation measure. Off-road vehicle use in beach and dune habitats poses a significant threat, as do agricultural chemicals, which have led to population declines in certain areas. Habitat-specific requirements, combined with excessive human activity, can result in local extinctions. The invasive Common Reed (Phragmites australis) is also a threat to some breeding habitats used by Canadian populations. Consequently, the species is recognized as being at risk in Ontario, a species of special concern in New Jersey, and regionally threatened or endangered in New Hampshire and Vermont. Efforts to raise public awareness, such as a 2024 Canada Post stamp featuring the toad, are underway.