Family Bufonidae – Toads

Southern toad (Bufo terrestris)

• Description: 2-4 1/2 inches, warty skin; brown to light gray to reddish with mottling or dark spots; conspicuous ridges on head ending in pronounced knobs behind the eyes.

• Distribution: Southern half of state; common.

• Breeding period: March to June during periods of wet weather.

• Breeding sites: Permanent to semi-permanent ponds, wooded pools, flooded depressions.

• Voice: Relatively high-pitched trill, about one-half octave higher than American toad.

• Comments: Mixed chorus with gray treefrogs, leopard frogs and a pinewoods treefrog calling in the background. Recorded near Logtown in Hancock County.