## Eastern Narrowmouth Toad - Gastrophryne carolinensis

- Diagnostic Features:
  - Size: 1 to 1.5 inches (22 to 38 mm)
  - Color:
    - Varies with environment; may be brown, gray, or reddish
  - Other:
    - Small, oval body with smooth skin
    - Small head with pointed snout
    - Fold of skin immediately behind eyes
    - Belly strongly mottled
    - Broad dorsolateral stripe, center of back dark; Dark spots in mottled pattern on dorsum may obscure dark dorsum with light stripes
  - Sexual Dimorphism:
    - Dark throat on males
- Natural History:
  - Habitat:
    - This toad prefers areas of ample moisture and cover. It is found near ponds with fallen logs and other debris.
  - Behavior:
    - It feeds mainly on ants, but eats a variety of insects. It remains underground or hidden in debris during the day.
  - Breeding:
    - Breeding takes place from March to September with rain.
    - Males call while floating in water with forelimbs resting on a stem or twig.
    - Males will scuttle away under debris rather than over
    - Normally in shallow water unless lots of floating vegetation
    - Rain initiates breeding
    - Packets of eggs are laid on the surface of the water
    - Normally about 850 eggs
- Voice: Sonogram : Call ( Dade, Dougherty, & Troup Counties )
  - Bleating call, lamb like, lasting 1/2 -4 seconds
- Tadpoles:
  - Tadpole stage: 20 - 70 days
  - Transformed size: 8.5 - 12 mm
  - Tadpole is a plankton feeder
  - medial margins of oral flaps divergent and with smooth edges; temporary pools during summer; widespread east and west of Mississippi River
  - dorsum mostly black in life (lighter at night) and preservative, never gray or brassy; belly dark with pale blotches and mottling; lateral pale tail stripe bright and distinct at least basally; temporary lentic sites formed by seasonal rains; eastern Texas north to central Missouri
- Range:
  - In North America, this toad is found from southern Maryland to the Florida keys; west to Misouri and east Texas; introduced in the bahamas.
  - In Georgia, it is found throughout the state, but more common in the south.

  - In Light Blue: Williamson, Gerald K. & Moulis, Robert A., Distribution of Amphibians and Reptiles in Georgia, Special Publication No. 3, Savannah Science Museum, Inc. Savannah, Georgia, 1994
  - In Green: Sound Recordings
  - In Yellow: From Both '94 study and Sound Recordings
  - In Magenta: Photograph, not found by '94, may or may not be sound record
  - In Medium Blue: Photograph and in '94 study, may or may not be sound record
  - In Orange: County Record by other Herp Atlas Volunteers
  - In Red: US Distribution from various sources

June 28, 2003 - wwknapp@mindspring.com