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.
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.
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.
Ohio: two dark, curved stripes on the back like reversed parentheses, which on some frogs form a crude X or H (so it is easily confused with the spring peeper); it usually has a dark triangle between the eyes and a white line on the upper lip. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Maine IF&W lists the spring peeper's distinguishing characteristics: Maine's smallest frog (about 0.8 to 1.5 inches), grayish- or orangish-brown above with a distinct dark X on the back, and smooth skin; it notes it is commonly confused with the gray treefrog.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in Ohio
Records of frogs and toads in Ohio peak in March to June. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
4,325 records of frogs and toads in Ohio by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
ODNR Division of Wildlife: 1-800-WILDLIFE (Wildlife headquarters and district offices are listed in the 2018 Reptiles of Ohio guide). An older undated ODNR brochure (Pub 115) asks people to report timber rattlesnake sightings by mail to the Division of Wildlife, 360 E. State Street, Athens, OH 45701; that address may be out of date. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
“…can be heard reverberating from Ohio ponds, marshes, and large slow-moving streams from late April through late summer.”
“During the brief breeding period in late February to early April, often before the ice has completely melted, woodland ponds may be suddenly full of courting Wood Frogs.”
“From mid-March through May, ponds, streams, marshes, and even temporarily flooded fields are used for breeding grounds.”
“…the Mountain Chorus Frog has two dark, curved stripes on the back which look like reversed parentheses. On some individuals these lines form a crude ‘X’ or ‘H’ causing it to be easily confused with the Spring Peeper. It also usually bears a dark triangle between the eyes and a white line on the upper lip.”
“The Chorus Frog’s call resembles the sound made by rubbing one’s finger over the teeth of a hard plastic comb instead of the bird-like whistle of the Peeper.”
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