Frog or Toad?

[mightymousemom]

Hi,

I have been hearing croaking in my garden, but just found out where it was coming from. I found 3 large inhabitants in my compost bin! Here is a photo of one after a recent rain.

Can you tell me what it is? I am guessing a toad, but I'm not sure! I guess they have been finding enough to eat, but I wonder if I should help them with any extra food/water. Any help appreciated! Thank you.

[Iratus ranunculus]

You have yourself Anaxyrus valliceps. The gulf coast toad. They should be fine on their own, but if you want to attract more, dont use any fertilizer or pesticides and add a small pond to your garden

[John]

That's no Gulf Coaster, that's a Marine Toad, Bufo marinus. My guess is the poster either lives in south TX or Florida. In any case, in the US toads formerly known as Gulf Coast Toads (Bufo valliceps) are now known as Coastal Plains Toad (Bufo nebulifer).

[Iratus ranunculus]

That's no Gulf Coaster, that's a Marine Toad, Bufo marinus. My guess is the poster either lives in south TX or Florida. In any case, in the US toads formerly known as Gulf Coast Toads (Bufo valliceps) are now known as Coastal Plains Toad (Bufo nebulifer).

You are right. I did not see the massive parotoid glands when I first looked at the photo due to the poor focus-I was trying to do it from cranial crests. Giving it a second look, yeah. It is definitely a Rhinella (whether it is actually marinus is another matter, the species has been split up a few times).

As for valliceps, it is still a valid taxon (http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetol...rences&id=2962), thought genus name has changed yet again... (A pox be upon you DR Frost!)

In that case, my advice changes. Where do you live Mightmousemom? If in FL... for the love of god, kill it! They are invasive in your state. Go get some max strength oragel, catch the toads, and apply a good solid dab of it the size of your thumbnail on the toad's head. The active ingredient will literally numb the toad to death.

If in S. Texas, just let them be.

[John]

As for valliceps, it is still a valid taxon (http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetol...rences&id=2962), thought genus name has changed yet again... (A pox be upon you DR Frost!)

Not in the US. The US B. valliceps are now known as B. nebulifer as they were judged sufficiently different to those on the more southerly Gulf of Mexico coast.

[Iratus ranunculus]

Not in the US. The US B. valliceps are now known as B. nebulifer as they were judged sufficiently different to those on the more southerly Gulf of Mexico coast.

Fair enough. I swear as soon as I learn one taxonomy the systematists go and change it on me. At least with ranids, I know when new changes are coming down the pipe...

[mightymousemom]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I live in South Florida-Naples area. So, are you saying they are invasive here?

I have 8 yr old twins that love to play in the yard and try catching these guys, are they dangerous for them? Not sure what to do about them.

Pls advise.

[Iratus ranunculus]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I live in South Florida-Naples area. So, are you saying they are invasive here?

I have 8 yr old twins that love to play in the yard and try catching these guys, are they dangerous for them? Not sure what to do about them.

Pls advise.

Yeah. They were introduced into Florida from S. america to control sugar cane beetles. They get huge (the size of a salad bowl), and ate everything but the beetles-including native frogs and toads. They can outcompete most of the natives, and toxins they produce in the skin are nasty enough to cause serious damage to a person. Not really a problem if the toad feels safe, but if they are agitated enough they can squirt poison from the large glands in their shoulders up to a few meters. If this gets into the eyes it can be extremely painful, and may cause temporary blindness. Same if the kid does not wash their hands and then rubs their eyes. If ingested the poisons can potentially be fatal.

If you have a curious dog, it is also best to kill the toad, because if the dog picks up the toad, the dog will probably die.

Best to just kill them...

[mightymousemom]

ok, that's what I thought. I will get my husband out there on a hunting mission today. I appreciate your help!

[Kurt]

Make sure that you are only killing marine/cane toads and not the native toads.

[John]

In all honesty, I feel hunting invasive Cane Toads does about as much good as introducing them to control pests did. None.