DESCRIPTION: Common "hop toad" of gardens and yards. Brownish skin is very warty. Short, but large and muscular hind legs allow it to move more easily through woodlands and backyards. Throat and belly white speckled with black. Large - 2 to 4 inches long.

Photo © Jim Harding

HABITAT: Woodlands, shady backyards. Needs a cool daytime shelter, loose soils, and an insect food source (Great for gardens!)

BREEDING: April-May, in woodland ponds or other shallow waters. Eggs laid in long strings. Blackish tadpoles transform into toadlets in June or July.

VOICE: A prolonged trill.

RANGE AND STATUS: Common statewide.

NOTES: Skin secretions are distasteful to predators, but do not cause warts in humans. A beneficial species in gardens, eats many insect pests - a modest-sized toad will eat about 3200 insects in a season. Will frequent night lights.