Southern Toad
Anaxyrus terrestris
The Southern Toad is a common native insect eater found in Florida yards, flatwoods, gardens, and wetlands.
The Southern Toad is a common native insect eater found in Florida yards, flatwoods, gardens, and wetlands.
A stout, warty toad with pronounced knobs behind the eyes, large poison glands behind the head, and mottled brown, gray, red, or tan color.
Hides in shallow burrows during the day and emerges at night to feed. Males call with a long high trill near breeding water.
Avoid handling. If a pet mouths a toad, rinse the mouth forward with water and contact a veterinarian. Learn to distinguish native Southern Toads from invasive Cane Toads.
Avoid collecting native amphibians from protected lands. Reduce pesticide use and protect temporary breeding water.
Habitat:
Freshwater Wetlands, Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Beetles, ants, roaches, moths, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates.
Behavior:
Hides in shallow burrows during the day and emerges at night to feed. Males call with a long high trill near breeding water.
Nighttime, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm rainy evenings near porch lights, ponds, and sandy cover
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Least Concern
Safety Level:
Use Caution With Pets
Safety Information:
Avoid handling. If a pet mouths a toad, rinse the mouth forward with water and contact a veterinarian. Learn to distinguish native Southern Toads from invasive Cane Toads.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes many insects and other small pests around lawns and gardens.
Property Concerns:
Pets that mouth a toad can drool, paw at the mouth, or become ill from defensive secretions.
Fun Fact:
A Southern Toad can bury itself backward into loose sand using its hind feet.
Wildlife Laws:
Avoid collecting native amphibians from protected lands. Reduce pesticide use and protect temporary breeding water.
Identification:
A stout, warty toad with pronounced knobs behind the eyes, large poison glands behind the head, and mottled brown, gray, red, or tan color.