If you see a toad, it's most likely an American toad, the most common toad in Minnesota. This toad is often seen in or around wetlands during the spring mating season. At other time of the year it can be found far from water even in backyards and gardens in the city.

Identification

General description: This toad is brown, brick red and olive. It also has black spots, on which reddish warts are sometimes found.

Length: 2 to 3 1/2 inches long.

Sounds: Males trill during the breeding season. The pitch of the trill varies with individuals.

Reproduction

American toads breed from May to mid-June in shallow wetlands. During this period, the males call from early morning until well after dark. Each mating call lasts up to 30 seconds. Newborns (tadpoles) are tiny, usually black, and may be present in large numbers.

Food

American toads eat insects, worms and snails.

Predators

Few animals eat toads because of their skin tastes bitter. However, hognose snakes eat American toads and raccoons eat the undersides of toads, avoiding the distasteful skin on the toad's head and back.

Habitat and range

American toads live in creeks, small wetlands, and lake shorelines. These toads occur throughout Minnesota in a wide variety of upland habitats including meadows, woodlots, gardens and city parks.

Fun facts

During the winter, the American toad burrows beneath the ground (usually in sandy soils), typically just below the frost line. As the frost line gets deeper, so too will the American toad. Though these toads sometimes have warts, a person cannot get warts by handling toads.