This page lists 10 species: all from Rhode Island Department of State (Code of Regulations); Rhode Island DEM rule's Rules and Regulations Governing Importation and Possession of Wild Animals, § 3.17 Appendix A: native amphibians.
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.
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 Rhode Island
Records of frogs and toads in Rhode Island peak in April to May. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
720 records of frogs and toads in Rhode Island by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
Sources
Learn about RI wildlife. Rhode Island DEM, Division of Fish & Wildlife. archived copy, captured June 8, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_-_Flickr_-_2ndPeter.jpg){kind=link}
_-_Flickr_-_2ndPeter.jpg){kind=link}
