Eastern Narrow-Mouthed frog (Gastrophryne carolinensis)

While trekking through the marshy area of the Francis Marion National Forest we came across this little guy! He is the only species of narrow-mouthed frogs in South Carolina. These frogs are secretive and solitary, so I'm glad we were able to catch one! It was easily identified by it's small, plump round body, short limbs, non-webbed toes, and pointed head that has a single skin fold across the back. G. carolinensis's body shape and the horn-like lumps on the hind feet are perfect for burrowing. They spend much of their life in terrestrial habitats underground. Since it is a fossorial species, its eyes are smaller than some other species of frogs. This individual was dark brownish/ gray when he was caught, but G. carolinensis can change it's coloration depending on the day or mood of the individual. But I found his belly to be very cute with the almost blue mottling. The skin-gland secretions of G. carolinensis are distasteful to predators, can be an irritant to humans and toxic to other amphibians. Their gland secretions also help prevent attacks from their main food source, which are ants and termites. G. carolinensis lay their eggs in temporary pools of water, so the tadpoles need to metamorphose fairly rapidly before their pool dries out.

Source:
http://www.arkive.org/eastern-narrowmouth-toad/gastrophryne-carolinensis/