The Southern Toad is a medium-sized toad of the Southeastern United States. It is found in the lowlands and coastal plains of southeastern Virginia, south into Florida and west to the Mississippi River. It varies in color from yellowish to reddish to brown with darker spots. The dark spots usually have 1-2 warts in them.
A dark Southern Toad from the Ocala National Forest in Florida
A yellowish Southern Toad from the Ocala National Forest in Florida
The characteristic that is usually used to differentiate Southern Toads from the sympatric Fowler's and possibly American Toads is the pronounced "knob" on the posterior end of the central cranial crests (indicated by the orange arrows below).
The call of the Southern Toad is a prolonged high whistled trill lasting up to 10 seconds.
Here is the call of a Southern Toad from Ocala National Forest in Florida.
And here's a video of that little toad making that call.
Thanks for pointing out the differences between the Southern Toad and the American Toad by pointing out the pronounced "knob" on the posterior end of the central cranial crests.
Thanks for pointing out the differences between the Southern Toad and the American Toad by pointing out the pronounced "knob" on the posterior end of the central cranial crests.
ReplyDeleteVery very helpful!