Fowler's Toad

This last field trip my main herp hunting partner, Beau, spotted a new creature. We were scanning an area of the forest that had a lot of leaf litter and small plants growing. The prized specimen was sitting under the cover of a small plant, but my quickness and agility proved too much for his escape attempt. I grabbed this little creature and we identified him as a Fowler's toad, Bufo woodhousii, and displayed him for our class. As this toad is known to reproduce during may and june, it is not surprising that we found him during this time. Part of the mating ritual of this species is for the male to call for a mate in intervals that may last 30 seconds. If another male amplexes a male then eh will release upon hearing a chirping release call. These toads will sometimes release a noxious secretion from glands on their back, or as in the case of this toad urinate on someone.