| American Toad (Bufo americanus americanus) |
American Toads can be found all over the County, quite often far from water. As with all members of the
Bufo genus they have rough, dry skin covered in warts. Their colour varies between individuals but they
are unlikely to be mistaken for anything else in Essex County since no other toad is likely to be found here.
The male toads soft trilling call can be heard emanating from woodland ponds, ditches, marshes and other
suitable water sources by the middle of April. Eggs are deposited in long strings along the waters edge
and around aquatic vegetation. Both the adult toads and the larva have a toxin that is secreted through the
skin and are poisonous to most other animals. It is not unusual for Eastern Gartersnakes to eat American
Toads, evidently they are tolerant or immune to the toads toxin.
Bufo genus they have rough, dry skin covered in warts. Their colour varies between individuals but they
are unlikely to be mistaken for anything else in Essex County since no other toad is likely to be found here.
The male toads soft trilling call can be heard emanating from woodland ponds, ditches, marshes and other
suitable water sources by the middle of April. Eggs are deposited in long strings along the waters edge
and around aquatic vegetation. Both the adult toads and the larva have a toxin that is secreted through the
skin and are poisonous to most other animals. It is not unusual for Eastern Gartersnakes to eat American
Toads, evidently they are tolerant or immune to the toads toxin.
Photo taken in LaSalle
Photo taken in Windsor
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