Basic Facts

Size:  5.1-7.5 cm

Description: This small toad is usually gray or a light olive green in Canadian populations. Fowler's toads have small warts, which may number three or more per dorsal blotch. The belly is unspotted or with only one prominent spot on the chest. The warts on the tibia are not greatly enlarged. During the breeding season, the throat of adult males is black.

Distribution: Fowler's toad are only found along the northern shoreline of Lake Erie in Ontario. The largest population is located at Long Point, Ontario.

Feeding

larva: herbivorous
adult: carnivorous
food: This toad feeds on insects and other terrestrial arthropods.

Habitat

egg: aquatic
larva: aquatic
adult: terrestrial



Fowler's toad
Bufo fowleri

Adult
image
David Green


Life history

Breeding season: The breeding season usually starts near the beginning of May and ends in June.

Egg habitat: Fowlers toad prefers to breed in oligotrophic, sandy-bottomed, vegetation-poor ponds that are in early stages of ecological succession. Eggs are laid in temporary pools and shallow margins of permanent bodies of water and marshes.

Clutch size: As many as 3 000 eggs may be laid.

Description: Mortality is high for tadpoles and newly metamorphosed toadlets and the adult life-span is short. Allowing the adults to breed is therefore very important for the continuance of a population. This toad has been known to hybridize with American toads. Hybrids may show characteristics of both parents. The call of male hybrids may be difficult to identify.

Adult habitat: This toad lives in sandy open areas and forages along sandy beaches at night. Overwintering occurs in sand dunes.

Conservation

This species has been designated as threatened by COSEWIC. It is threatened by the development of cottages, marinas, recreational use of beaches and growth of towns along its lakeshore habitat on Lake Erie. The use of off-road vehicles on beaches may also be a problem.