Eastern Narrowmouth Toad - Gastrophryne carolinensis

• Diagnostic Features:
  • Size: 1 to 1.5 inches (22 to 38 mm)
  • Color:
    • Varies with environment; may be brown, gray, or reddish
  • Other:
    • Small, oval body with smooth skin
    • Small head with pointed snout
    • Fold of skin immediately behind eyes
    • Belly strongly mottled
    • Broad dorsolateral stripe, center of back dark; Dark spots in mottled pattern on dorsum may obscure dark dorsum with light stripes
  • Sexual Dimorphism:
    • Dark throat on males
• Natural History:
  • Habitat:
    • This toad prefers areas of ample moisture and cover. It is found near ponds with fallen logs and other debris.
  • Behavior:
    • It feeds mainly on ants, but eats a variety of insects. It remains underground or hidden in debris during the day.
  • Breeding:
    • Breeding takes place from March to September with rain.
    • Males call while floating in water with forelimbs resting on a stem or twig.
    • Males will scuttle away under debris rather than over
    • Normally in shallow water unless lots of floating vegetation
    • Rain initiates breeding
    • Packets of eggs are laid on the surface of the water
    • Normally about 850 eggs
• Voice: Sonogram : Call ( Dade, Dougherty, & Troup Counties )
  • Bleating call, lamb like, lasting 1/2 -4 seconds
• Tadpoles:
  • Tadpole stage: 20 - 70 days
  • Transformed size: 8.5 - 12 mm
  • Tadpole is a plankton feeder
  • 
  • medial margins of oral flaps divergent and with smooth edges; temporary pools during summer; widespread east and west of Mississippi River
  • dorsum mostly black in life (lighter at night) and preservative, never gray or brassy; belly dark with pale blotches and mottling; lateral pale tail stripe bright and distinct at least basally; temporary lentic sites formed by seasonal rains; eastern Texas north to central Missouri
• Range:
  • In North America, this toad is found from southern Maryland to the Florida keys; west to Misouri and east Texas; introduced in the bahamas.
  • In Georgia, it is found throughout the state, but more common in the south.

    

  • In Light Blue: Williamson, Gerald K. & Moulis, Robert A., Distribution of Amphibians and Reptiles in Georgia, Special Publication No. 3, Savannah Science Museum, Inc. Savannah, Georgia, 1994
  • In Green: Sound Recordings
  • In Yellow: From Both '94 study and Sound Recordings
  • In Magenta: Photograph, not found by '94, may or may not be sound record
  • In Medium Blue: Photograph and in '94 study, may or may not be sound record 
  • In Orange: County Record by other Herp Atlas Volunteers
  • In Red: US Distribution from various sources

September 9, 2006 - wwknapp@mindspring.com