The Oak Toad (Anaxyrus quercicus) is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.This small toad may be brown, gray or nearly black, often with scattered reddish warts. Its belly is usually mottled with dark pigment. Juveniles of our three larger toads (American toad, Fowler's toad and southern toad) are often mistaken for oak toads, but this species may be distinguished by the prominent whitish, yellowish or orange stripe running from the tip of the snout down the entire length of its back, and the large dark spots on its back that are arranged in three to five pairs.
Ten Facts about Oak Toad
- They can reach length from 19 to 33 mm (0.75 to 1.3 in).
- Oak toads are found only in the Coastal Plain and inhabit pine flatwoods, savannas, sandhills, and some pocosins (shrub bogs) and maritime forests.
- Oak toads breed from April to August, usually in temporary wetlands, such as shallow ponds, ditches, rain pools or flooded agricultural fields.
- Their call is a high-pitched, continuously repeated "peep!" and is often compared to the vocalizations of young chickens.
- The Oak toad is carnivorous, and eats mainly insects.
- Oak toads, unlike most toad species, are usually active during the day.
- A female can lay up to 700 eggs at a single time.
- Live maximum 1 year.
- Predators include snakes, birds, other frogs.
- Males create a sound to attract females.
