The following pair of mating Eastern American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus) was spotted during a photowalk through Huntley Meadows Park on 12 April 2014.
Eastern American- and Fowler’s Toads (Anaxyrus fowleri) are similar in appearance and often coexist in the same habitat. Fowler’s Toads are known to hybridize with other species of toads; this may be a pair of hybrid toads.
The toads were mating in a small vernal pool located near the terminus of the Hike-Bike Trail.
Notice the black-and-white strings of toad eggs faintly visible in all of the photos.
Editor’s Note: This is Part 4 in a five-part series of posts featuring two types of toads commonly seen at Huntley Meadows Park: Eastern American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus); and Fowler’s Toads (Anaxyrus fowleri).
Related Resources:
- Toad-ally in love! (Part 1)
- Toad-ally in love! (Part 2)
- Toad-ally in love! (Part 3)
- Toad-ally in love! (Part 5)
Copyright © 2014 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.