American Toad

The musical trill of the American Toad can be heard here in Western North Carolina in the early Spring.  In our area of Penrose, they gather in flooded cow pastures around our neighborhood and sing with the Spring Peepers.  The recording below was made in early Spring, 2011.  The second recording was made in the summer of 2014.

AMERICAN TOAD AND SPRING PEEPERS

AMERICAN TOAD w/ COPES GRAY TREEFROG IN BACKGROUND

Warning:  Toads have enlarged glands (called the paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heart beat, and, in extreme cases, death. Toads pose a danger to pets, which may pounce on and bite them. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.  (enature.com)