The call of spring

If you have been out near a wetland or pond, chances are that you have heard an orchestra of sounds, the spring peepers that came out during the first warm days of spring, and a new sound, a trilling sound that lasts up to 30 seconds or so. Many harmonious calls may be heard in a particular area. The star performer of this springtime melody is the American toad.

The American toad (Bufo americanus) is a brown, wart-covered toad that ranges in size from two to four inches. The color phases range from a dark brown to an orange-brown. They can be found in fields or forests during the non-breeding time of year, and will feed on a variety of insects.

The American toad comes down to wetlands and ponds to breed in late April or May. Some may breed as late as June. The trilling call is given by the male, trying to attract a female mate. (Visit riverreporter.com/rivertalk.html for a link to a sound file of the call.)

If you are close to where the toads are breeding, you may see two or more males wrestling for the right to mate with the female. This usually takes the form of a male trying to push another male off the female with his hind legs. After the mating takes place, the female will lay up to 12,000 eggs at the water bottom. The eggs will hatch into tadpoles, which morph into juvenile toads in five to 10 weeks.

American toads have large parotid glands behind each eye, and these glands secrete a poison consisting mainly of cardiotoxic steroid which is harmful when ingested. Keep your pets from licking or biting any toad, and wash your hands after handling toads.