June 30, 2025
This an American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) blending in with its surroundings. This common toad is quite variable in its coloring, which can be brown, gray, olive or brick red. I was lucky to stumple upon this one since they are mainly noctural. During the day they seek hiding places such as under rocks, boards, woodpiles, or porches.
This apparently is a small American Toad since they range in size from 2 to 3.5 inches with a few reaching 4.25 inches. It’s making its way through a clump of Rose Campion (Silene coronaria) fuzzy silver-gray leaves. If you know this plant, you know that their leaves are not very large.
Though they won’t actually give you warts, toads secrete toxins through their skin which can cause irritation or sometimes illness if those chemicals come in contact with one’s eyes or mouth. It’s important to wash your hands after touching a toad.
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