*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: A small, rotund, smooth-skinned frog (maximum 1.5”) with variable coloration, generally some shade of brown, but some may be gray. A pointed snout with a fold of skin at back of eyes, and a tiny mouth. Eardrum not visible. No webbing between toes. Rear feet have small spades used for digging. Some individuals have a dark line on each side of back extending from groin to back of head, with a darker ground color between these lines than outside of them. Other individuals that lack lines typically have darker markings scattered on back. Sides are typically darker in color than back, often with many silver flecks. Limbs are patterned like back. Juveniles tend to be darker than adults. Belly is gray with scattered pale markings.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Southeastern quarter of United States from southern Maryland south to Florida Keys, west to east Texas, and north to southern Missouri.
Louisiana Range: Statewide, but seemingly absent from some expansive salt marshes.
Adult Habitat: Nearly any habitat from brackish marshes to upland pine-hardwoods and suburban areas.
Natural History: Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toads are ground dwellers and most often active between dusk and dawn, particularly during warm weather, but will call day or night after heavy rains. They eat a wide variety of invertebrates, with ants, termites, and small beetles being favorites. Skin secretions protect them from many predators and from ant attacks, but there have been a few reports of snake, bird, and mammal predators. They are primarily terrestrial and secretive, typically living in leaf litter and ground cover. They breed from April-September in shallow, rain-filled depressions such as pools, ditches, and swamp margins. They lay up to 1,600 eggs in a surface film, often in several separate packets up to 100 eggs each, usually among grassy vegetation. Eggs hatch in 1–3 days and tadpoles metamorphose in 20–70 days. Maturity is just 1 year in males but may take 2 years in females. A wild-caught adult lived nearly 7 years.
Call: A nasal, buzzy ‘waaaaaa’ lasting 2–4 seconds likened to the bleating of a lamb.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Look for this species under any cover objects in direct contact with the soil. They can also be found easily when they are active on the surface on warm nights as their moist skin contrasts with dry vegetation. They call often, both day and night, after hard spring and summer rains. But be warned, they often stop calling when approached, and can be notoriously difficult to locate even within small pools, as they hide in grass clumps and amid other vegetation or debris.
Global Conservation Status: Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toads have a relatively wide distribution in the southeastern United States, a presumed large population, and tolerate a degree of habitat modification, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toads do not have any special status in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have found this species in many different habitats in the state, including suburban and urban areas.
