The Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad is an amphibian that is small and is found in south-central United States and in places such as Mexico and Texas. Even though this is called a toad, it is not really a toad because it is terrestrial or found all over the Earth.
What Does the Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad Look Like?
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad is small, usually up to an inch or 1.5 inches tall. It has a flat body and a nose that is pointed.
Most of these are grey, green or brown in color and their underneath is usually a lighter color. This toad also has a fold of skin that sits behind the eyes.
Sound
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad makes a sound that is like a peel or a buzz sound. This sound will last for around 4 seconds at a time.
Protection
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad will protect itself by letting out a secretion of poison. When this is released, it can cause burning or pain, especially if it gets in the predator’s eyes.
Since the ant is the primary source of food for this toad, it has protection on its skin that will protect it from the ant bite. This allows the toad to be able to eat at the ant hill without getting bothered by the ant bite.
Where Does the Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad Live?
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad lives in south-central United States, Mexico and Texas.
This amphibian is usually found under rocks or logs or on ground that is full of fallen leaves. This toad likes to be in areas that are moist and close to pools of water.
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad also likes to live in areas that are wooded, or full of grasses or marshes. They also like to go in other animal burrows.
What Does the Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad Eat?
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad eats small insects but the most known insect that it eats is the ant.
Finding a Mate
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad will look for a mate in May to July. They will look for a mate after heavy rains.
The male toad will go to areas close to ponds or fields that are flooded and even ditches to look for a mate.
The male will secrete a glue and cause the female to stick to it. This is when he finds his mate.
The female Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad will lay up to 654 eggs at one time and will lay them on the surface of the water.
The tadpoles will hatch in around 3 days and will then turn into baby frogs or froglets within 30 days.
Why is the Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad Important?
The Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad is important to humans because they help control the insect population, specifically ants. They will help keep the balance of the insects where they will feed on the ants and lessen their population.
Predators of the Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad
The predators of the Greater Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad are fish, raccoons, birds and other small mammals.
Facts About the Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad:
- This toad is also called the Western Narrow-Mouthed Toad.
- The toad is from the frog family and is not considered a toad at all.
- There is another Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad species called the Eastern-Narrow Mouthed Toad and the difference is that it is darker and has dark markings on its back. This species also makes a sound like a sheep when it does its call.
- The Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad and the Eastern-Narrow Mouthed Toad will not crossbreed, and they will stay with their kind.
What Did You Learn?
- What are the Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad? The Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad is an amphibian that is found in North America and in Mexico.
- What is interesting about the Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad? The interesting thing about this amphibian is that it is not a toad at all but a frog, even though it has the name “toad.”
- What does the Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad eat? The main diet of this frog is the ant.
- Is the Great Plains Mouthed Toad poisonous? This frog secretes poison and can burn or be painful if it gets in the eyes of the predator.
- Does the Great Plains Mouthed Toad have predators? They have birds, small mammals and raccoons.