toad identification Archives - Following Deer Creek

Toads don’t cause warts.

If your dog tries to eat one, it might foam-at-the-mouth.

Habitat

With a wide habitat range, western toads can be found from sea level to 11,000 feet elevation and from Baja, Mexico to Alaska.

Like other amphibians, toad numbers have been declining in recent decades, but new field observations give cause for hope. Evidence appears to show that they can adapt to reproducing outside accustomed seasonal cycles and they’ll take advantage of water to breed in, even if it’s not their ‘home water.’

Characteristics & Behavior

Western toads come in a variety of colors – reddish-brown, yellow, green, gray, or white.

Rough, blotchy bumps can have red centers. It usually has a light-colored stripe going down the length of its back and large “cheek” glands.

Once a toad leaves its natal water body in spring, they live on the land where they dig shallow burrows, occupy gopher and ground squirrel holes, beaver dams or find protected spaces under rocks or tree roots near water sources such as bogs, streams, meadows, lakes, and rivers.

Their body temperatures are largely controlled by sun basking and evaporative cooling. In order to avoid drying conditions, they spend the daylight hours on the forest floor in the soil under rocks, logs, stumps, or other surface objects or in rodent burrows.

In June, when temperatures begin to rise, they remain in their burrows, only coming out at dusk or night time to feed.

Like bats, toads have the ability to go into a state of torpor (partial hibernation) during unfavorable living conditions, such as when it’s very hot, cold, or dry. At high elevations, they can go into full hibernation. (Their blood contains a sugar that acts like antifreeze, protecting organs in extreme cold.)

After waking from winter sleep, western toads migrate back to the water to mate and lay eggs.

Photo Credit: Steve Collins Valley Conservation

Toads lay eggs in strings, rather than clumps. Hatchlings tend to stay together through metamorphosis.

Tadpole Diet

Suspended plant materials in the water
Bottom detritus
Carrion

Tadpole Predators

Birds
Amphibians
Mammals
Fish

Adult Diet

Ants
Bees
Beetles
Butterflies
Crayfish
Earthworms
Fleas
Flies
Grasshoppers
Moths
Snails
Sowbugs
Spiders
Slugs
Worms

Quick tongue action to catch prey is called a ‘zot’.

*See video in Resources about special saliva.

Adult Predators

Ravens, crows, and other birds
Snakes
Badgers, foxes, bobcats & other mammals

Defense Mechanisms

Peeing and defecating are defense mechanisms. To deter predators, adult toads secrete a mild milky (alkaloid) neurotoxin from glands located on their neck, back, and shoulders.

Females deposit a small amount of the toxin on newly laid eggs.

Lifespan

10-11 years

Reproduction

Western toads become sexually mature and able to reproduce between 4 – 6 years old.

Wildlife biologists think toads use smell to travel between breeding territories. They need shallow, open water and tend to return to the same spot each year.

Unlike other frog species, male western toads do not have vocal sacs.

Males will compete for a female. Even without a vocal sac, males make a chirping sound as other males approach. He’ll kick competitors away to defend her.

Between March and July, breeding occurs. Females lay eggs in long strings, up to 17,000 at a time! It takes about three months to complete the metamorphosis from tadpole to toad.

Water temperature regulates metamorphosis speed.

Threats

Competition with introduced species (not native animals kept as pets and set free)
Fungal infection from chytridiomycosis
Absorption of fertilizers in water systems
Absorption of mineral pollutants from mine water drainage
Worm parasites
Habitat destruction
Warming water temperatures

Toads & Dogs – Tips to Reduce the Possibility of Poisoning

Don’t leave pet water (or food) outside. Toads are attracted to it.
If a toad has soaked in your pet water, it could make your pet sick.

Signs of Toad Poisoning

Signs that your dog has tried to eat a toad include;

Foaming-at-the-mouth is a sign that your pet may have tried to eat a toad.
Pawing at the mouth
Excessive drooling
Pet might vomit it swallowed a whole toad

If you saw where it happened, it’s a good idea to – carefully – retrace your animal’s steps to verify the cause. (Always be aware that rattlesnakes can also be a possibility!)

Most U.S. toads are only mildly toxic (highly toxic varieties live in Hawaii, Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and along the Colorado River).

Poisoning First Aid

If your pet is conscious;

Rinse mouth with a hose pointing from the back of the mouth out, nose tipped down.
If possible, don’t let your animal swallow the flush water.
Don’t induce vomiting unless instructed by your vet.
Continue rinsing for 5 to 10 minutes

Call your vet.