Southern Toad

Bufo terrestris

IDENTIFICATION: This toad varies greatly in color. It can be any combination of brown, gray, green, black, yellow, orange, and red. Normally, Southern toads are gray with other colors of spots and blotches. The largest Southern toad ever found was 4 1/2 inches. The easiest way to tell them apart from other toads is by noting the two ridges that start at their nose and end behind their eyes in a small round lump.

RANGE AND HABITAT: Southern toads can be found throughout the state of Florida and in much of the Southeastern United States. They are common in every habitat, but seem to prefer living near people. They often will sit near porch lights and eat the insects that are attracted to the light.

REPRODUCTION: Southern toads lay eggs in shallow water in the summertime. Once the tadpoles hatch from the eggs, it takes them between 1-2 months to change into toads.

DIET: This type of toad will eat a large number of insects, spiders, and other small bugs. Southern toads hunt at night when it is cooler and spend their days buried under soil, Iogs, or other spots out of the sun.

FUTURE: Southern toads are very common throughout their range and are not endangered.

Anne Grace

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