Toxic skin secretions irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes (MDC). “The warts secret toxins that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.” MDC
Toxic skin secretions irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes (MDC). “Numerous ‘warts’ over most of their bodies produce toxic skin secretions that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.” MDC
Toxic skin secretions irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes (MDC). “Numerous ‘warts’ over most of their bodies produce toxic skin secretions that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.” MDC
Rocky Mountain Toad
Toxic skin secretions irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes (MDC). “Numerous ‘warts’ over most of their bodies produce toxic skin secretions that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.” MDC
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“The warts secret toxins that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.” MDC
Size
2 to 3.5 inches long (NCWRC: up to 4 inches); females are larger than males.
How to recognize it
Dark spots on the back hold only a few large warts; the similar Fowler's toad has three or more. Agencies give different counts for the American toad (TWRA: one or two; Ohio DNR: one, two or three; Georgia DNR: usually no more than one), so wart count alone does not settle it; check the head crests too (see lookalikes).
A large, kidney- or bean-shaped parotoid gland behind each eye that usually does not touch the bony ridge (cranial crest) above the eye, or touches it only by a short spur.
Enlarged warts on the lower leg.
Where in Missouri
Occurs in the northern and western half of the state, while a subspecies, the dwarf American toad, Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi (Bragg), occurs in the southern and … MDC
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171 records by month.What the sources say
Range: Occurs in the northern and western half of the state, while a subspecies, the dwarf American toad, Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi (Bragg), occurs in the southern and southeastern half of the state.
Habitat: American toads can be found in nearly any land habitat in Missouri, but they prefer rocky, wooded areas. (MDC)
Habitat: Blanchard’s cricket frogs prefer open habitats, especially sandy, gravelly, or muddy edges of streams, ponds, and lakes. (MDC)
No confirmed photo of Boreal Chorus Frog
Boreal Chorus Frog
Pseudacris maculata
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
What the sources say
Habitat: This frog is most abundant in prairies but also occurs on agricultural lands, in large river floodplains, on the grassy edges of marshes, and in urban areas. (MDC)
No confirmed photo of Cajun Chorus Frog
Cajun Chorus Frog
Pseudacris fouquettei
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Habitat: These two treefrogs appear to have the same general habits and habitats in Missouri, though the gray treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor) seems to be more of a forest species, while Cope's gray treefrog (D. chrysoscelis) is more associated with grasslands and oak savannas. (MDC)
No confirmed photo of Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Gastrophryne carolinensis
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Missouri
Throughout most of the southern half of the state. MDC
What the sources say
Habitat: In Missouri, the eastern narrow-mouthed toad lives in a variety of habitats, including flooded swamps, open grasslands, and upland and bottomland hardwood woodlands. (MDC)
Habitat: These two treefrogs appear to have the same general habits and habitats in Missouri, though the gray treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor) seems to be more of a forest species, while Cope's gray treefrog (D. chrysoscelis) is more associated with grasslands and oak savannas. (MDC)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Adults reach about 2.5 inches: USGS gives 1.25 to 2.5 inches snout to vent. Virginia DWR says up to 2 inches.
How to recognize it
Smooth skin
Prominent toe pads
Loud nasal call, like cowbells from a distance
Where in Missouri
Natural range includes southeastern Missouri, along with several isolated, introduced populations. MDC
What the sources say
Habitat: Green treefrogs generally live in vegetative areas near permanent bodies of water, especially cattail marshes, cypress swamps, pond banks, or river sloughs and oxbows. (MDC)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Usually 6 to 8 inches long (NCWRC); can reach 8 inches or more and weigh over 2 pounds (CDFW). Missouri gives 3.5 to 6 inches snout to vent, occasionally to 8.75.
How to recognize it
No ridge (dorsolateral fold) down each side of the back
Large round eardrum: about twice the eye in males, about eye-sized in females
Fully webbed hind feet, longest toe extends past the webbing
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Missouri
Throughout most of Missouri, but rarely present in the Ozarks. MDC
What the sources say
Habitat: Active from March to October. (MDC)
No confirmed photo of Plains Spadefoot
Plains Spadefoot
Spea bombifrons
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Missouri
Missouri River floodplain from St. Louis to the northwestern corner of the state. MDC
What the sources say
Habitat: The plains spadefoot is primarily a species of the Great Plains, where it lives in grassland or open floodplain habitats. (MDC)
No confirmed photo of Rocky Mountain Toad
Rocky Mountain Toad
Anaxyrus woodhousii woodhousii
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“Numerous ‘warts’ over most of their bodies produce toxic skin secretions that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.” MDC
Where in Missouri
Found mainly along the Missouri River floodplain and along streams in the northwestern part of the state. MDC
What the sources say
Habitat: This species prefers sandy lowlands, particularly river bottoms, and open, dry areas adjacent to marshes, as well as around homes in urban and suburban areas. (MDC)
Habitat: In Missouri, the upland chorus frog usually lives in small patches of woods, forested swamps, and river bottomland forests, especially near wetlands. (MDC)
The difference official sources agree on is at the head: in the American toad the ridge (cranial crest) behind each eye is separate from the parotoid gland or joined to it only by a short spur; in Fowler's toad the two touch. Fowler's toad also has three or more warts in each of the larger dark spots, while the American toad has fewer (TWRA: one or two; Ohio DNR: one, two or three; Georgia DNR: usually no more than one). Fowler's toad has a whitish belly, often with a single dark spot on the chest; the American toad's belly is peppered with dark spots. The two can hybridize, so some toads cannot be told apart.
The difference official sources agree on is at the head: in the American toad the ridge (cranial crest) behind each eye is separate from the parotoid gland or joined to it only by a short spur; in Fowler's toad the two touch. Fowler's toad also has three or more warts in each of the larger dark spots, while the American toad has fewer (TWRA: one or two; Ohio DNR: one, two or three; Georgia DNR: usually no more than one). Fowler's toad has a whitish belly, often with a single dark spot on the chest; the American toad's belly is peppered with dark spots. The two can hybridize, and hybrids have intermediate features.
Cannot be told apart by sight. In the field they are told apart by the breeding call (Cope's trill is faster and harsher); in the lab by chromosomes. Location also helps: SREL says only Cope's occurs in Georgia and South Carolina.
Missouri Department of Conservation calls both gray treefrogs gray, unlike the green treefrog, but its gray treefrog account says their color may be green to light greenish gray, gray, brown or dark brown, so color alone does not settle it. MDC: gray treefrogs have warty (granular) skin; the green treefrog's back is smooth and a light stripe runs from its upper lip down the side of the body.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in Missouri
Records of frogs and toads in Missouri peak in April to July and September. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
999 records of frogs and toads in Missouri by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from MDC:
Toad and frog skin secretions do not normally affect people, but human eyes are sensitive to them. MDC
How to report
Report sightings of black bears, elk, mountain lions, feral hogs, rare furbearers and some small mammals to MDC. MDC
“They have a wartlike, kidney-shaped gland (parotoid gland) behind each eye. The bony ridge above each eye usually does not touch the parotoid gland, but it may be connected to it by a small spur.”
“The warts secret toxins that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.”
“Numerous ‘warts’ over most of their bodies produce toxic skin secretions that are irritating to a predator’s mucous membranes.”
“Some people may experience skin irritation after handling these frogs.”
“MDC is taking reports for sightings of black bears, elk, mountain lions, feral hogs, rare furbearers, and small mammals such as Franklin's ground squirrels and plains pocket gophers.”
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