Fowler’s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) is a small to medium sized toad measuring between 5 to 9.5 cm. It can be spotted on warm, humid nights during spring and summer as it emerges from underground burrows to hunt insects near light sources or in moist areas. Its most distinctive feature is its smell, reminiscent of unroasted peanuts. Its body has dark, black-edged spots covering the back, and a yellowish stripe that runs down the center of the back. The most reliable field mark is the presence of three or more warts within each dark spot. The belly is pale cream or white and remains almost completely unspotted.
Males are noticeably smaller than females and are typically darker overall with a black throat, particularly visible during breeding season when they’re calling. Females remain lighter in tone and lack the distinctive black throat. You can also identify the males by their uniquely shrill mating call when they gather at aquatic breeding sites in late spring.
Age of sexual maturation is reached within 1 to 3 years and Fowler’s toad will live for about 5 years in the wild. Breeding occurs from May to August when males migrate to shallow wetlands and produce their distinctive call, a sound resembling a distressed sheep’s wail. When a male locates a female, he grasps her from behind in an amplexus (mating position) and fertilizes up to 10,000 eggs as they’re released. Females deposit their eggs in long jelly-like strings, which remain attached to aquatic vegetation in shallow water. Eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days, producing tiny tadpoles who undergo rapid metamorphosis 5 to 10 weeks after hatching, transforming into adult-sized froglets between late July and early September. There is no parental care, froglets are independent from the moment they metamorphosis.
Au Canada, les crapauds de Fowlers sont en grave danger d'extinction. La plus grande menace est la perte et la dégradation des habitats de plages et de dunes côtières. L'un des problèmes majeurs est la propagation du roseau commun envahissant. Phragmites australis. Il forme des peuplements denses et abaisse les niveaux d'eau, asséchant éventuellement les zones humides.
Les autres facteurs en cause comprennent l'aménagement du littoral et les projets de stabilisation artificielle des côtes, notamment la construction de digues, de routes, de parkings, de jetées et d'épis. Les activités d'entretien des plages telles que le nivellement, le lissage et l'élimination des algues à l'aide de machines de lissage ou de bulldozers, posent également de gros problèmes, tandis que la circulation et l'utilisation récréative des plages et des dunes augmentent la perte d'habitat. Enfin, le ruissellement agricole, la pollution industrielle et d'autres espèces envahissantes comme la moule zébrée représentent des menaces importantes.
La stratégie de rétablissement de l'Ontario recommande un certain nombre de mesures, notamment l'amélioration de l'habitat, l'évaluation de la faisabilité de la réintroduction du crapaud de Fowler dans des zones appropriées, et le rétablissement des populations lorsque cela est possible. L'une des éléments clés pour réintroduire le crapaud de Fowler est de comprendre comment augmenter les populations de jeunes crapauds à partir des sites de reproduction existants.
Protect and restore wetland habitats, especially temporary and semi-permanent ponds that serve as breeding grounds. Maintain vegetation around water bodies. Slow down while driving at night during breeding season (April-August), particularly after heavy rains—many toads are killed crossing roads to reach breeding sites. Create small shallow water basins in your yard if you live in suitable habitat. Avoid pesticide use, which eliminates their insect food source. Most importantly, never intentionally harm a toad and educate others about their ecological importance in controlling insect populations.
Q: Why do Fowler’s toads produce so many eggs?
A: It’s a remarkable reproductive strategy. By producing enormous numbers of eggs, even if predation and disease kill 99% of them, the female still contributes thousands of offspring to the population. This high-fecundity strategy compensates for the species’ short five year lifespan: toads must reproduce successfully within their brief adult window or fail to contribute to the next generation.
Q: Why do Fowler’s toads burrow underground?
A: During dry periods, burrowing allows them to remain in moist soil below the surface where water availability is higher. During winter, they burrow well below the frost line where temperatures remain stable enough to survive.
Q: Why do male frogs sometimes try to mate with other male frogs?
A: The male’s calling displays attract both females and other males. When a male accidentally grasps another male, the second male immediately produces a distinctive “release call”, a chirping sound that communicates his male status and prompts the first male to let go.
