This past week we visited another Natural History Atlas site, Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area, to survey for a diversity of species and update our past information about the site. While we were out exploring and recording the species we came across, we noticed a number of tiny American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), or toadlets, hopping across the trail. Only about half an inch long, these little toads were recently metamorphosed from nearby ponds and pools.
American Toadlet (Anaxyrus americanus)
These amphibians waste no time at all, as it only takes them about 1-2 months to go from a gelatinous egg to a free swimming black tadpole to a land conquering toad, equipped with their characteristic warts (which will not give humans warts) and defensive parotoid glands. Throughout the remainder of the summer, the toadlets will do their best to hide themselves from predators while also hunting for small invertebrates. So as you are out on the trails or exploring local woodlands the rest of this summer, watch where you step, as these little guys are on the prowl for “pesky” insects and can be easily missed due to their tiny size!
Elyse Henshaw
Conservation Technician
