Family: Bufonidae, Toads view all from this family

Description 2-5 1/8" (5-13.0 cm). Medium-sized, with light-bordered dark band along side. Brown to black, with orange highlights and white spots. Usually a light stripe down middle of back. Cranial crests prominent, creating a depression between them on top of the skull. Crests connected to triangular parotoid glands. Male has yellow-green throat.

Warning Toads have enlarged glands (called the paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heart beat, and, in extreme cases, death. Toads pose a danger to pets, which may pounce on and bite them. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.

Voice A short trill, repeated often.

Breeding March to September.

Habitat Various humid locations, from roadside ditches to the barrier beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.

Range Gulf coast from s. Mississippi west through e. Texas and south into Mexico. Also, a small section of sc. Arkansas.

Discussion Active at twilight. Common in gardens. Frequently seen catching insects under streetlights. It even turns up in city storm sewers.