Toad-ally Awesome

While a few stray peepers continue to call, before the temperature dropped this week, it was the American Toad that serenaded the outdoor listener.

Dozens of these warty amphibians welcomed us Sunday evening as the waning sun did its best to penetrate the overcast haze hanging in the West. Single males hopped about – remember, toads hop and frogs leap – often searching for higher ground such as a partially submerged log or bunch of flattened cattails from which to call from. Their vibrating trill is unmistakable, and at times, when upwards of ten were calling at once, quite loud!

I kneeled in my waders to photograph a pair in amplexus – the term used to describe toad mating, where the male latches onto the female from atop her back, waiting for her to disperse two almost impossibly long strands of eggs running parallel and often intertwined, so that he may fertilize them – while preserve manager Tom demonstrated a fascinating phenomenon.

American Toads are eager and indiscriminatory during mating season. They may accidentally grab an entirely different species, even a salamander, or, funnier still, the fingers of a curious human dipping them into the water. They may also grab another male toad, but neither male wants this, and so to advertise a mismatch, the male who has been mounted will produce a chirp. Tom carefully scooped up an unsuspecting individual and gently squeezed behind its front legs on either side, and sure, enough, chirp chirp chirp.

This response is a result of toad mating mechanics; during this time, males will develop a black, coarse, and raised patch behind their thumbs that will aid them in gripping and holding onto the females beneath her armpits. And a good grip is necessary – often, other males will approach a pair in amplexus and attempt to bully his way in, and the female must hop away. This may even turn into something of brawl – I witnessed one ball of toads where the intruder had feet to the sky for a few seconds as he wrestled for access. So, when a male feels that he’s been made the little spoon, he chirps, saying hey! move along!

If this method does not result in a chirp, you’ve most likely got a female. After all, she’s got no reason to announce that she’s a female because this is business as usual for her!

Thanks for tuning in for some tidbits about toads!

– Naturalist Leah