Wednesday, April 16th
April's meeting will focus on how to safely handle and present your reptile to the public. Please feel free to bring your own animal to show off.
Meetings start promptly at 8pm in the Alumni Room of Medaille College.
Annual Banquet
PLEASE NOTE: The annual banquet and recognition dinner will be rescheduled due to conflicts. The new date will likely be a Saturday in May, please contact a board member for more information.
Eastern American Toad
(Bufo a. americanus)
Photo Courtesy of Bethel Ademowore
Click for larger image
The Eastern American Toad usually reaches lengths of 2 - 3.5 inches and are generally brown in color and spotted pattern. Each spot has 1 - 2 warts with larger warts on the lower leg. Their belly is lighter in color and is spotted. They are similar to the Fowler's Toad (Bufo fowleri). American Toads have an enlarged paratoid glands which almost couch their large cranial crests.
The paratoid glands emit a white fluid which is toxic. This fluid helps them escape predators. This fluid inflames the mouth and can cause nausea, irregular heart beats, and in extreme cases death. They can pose a danger to pets who catch these animals and people who handle these toads should immediately wash their hands.
Photo Courtesy of Krissy Sokolik
The American Toad has a musical trill voice that has often been mistaken for a cricket or other insect. The call can last as long as 30 seconds.
This primarily nocturnal toad can be found in all types of environments that contain enough insects for it to eat. They can often be heard at night during the breeding season from March to July. Eggs are laid in water in long strings attached to vegetation.
Remember that in many places it is illegal to take wildlife out of the wild without the proper permits from local, state, or federal authorities. Please do not release any captive reptiles or amphibians into the wild as this will disrupt the natural order of our environment. See our amphibian and reptile adoptions page for more information on what to do with unwanted herps.
Help further herpetology research and education by donating to the Marvin R. Aures Herpetological Grant