Gulf Coast Toad (Bufo valliceps)
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Our only toad species, the Gulf Coast Toad is frequently seen in yards around the Austin area. Although they need some moisture, they are not as reliant on permanent water as frogs and do well in gardens, where they eat numerous insects.
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Beginning in May, male toads sing at night in ponds to attract mates (see photo above). They are much more active after rain, probably because they often rely on temporary water for their tadpoles. The male's song is a long trill, repeated over and over. Larger toads have lower voices.
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Mating toads produce strings of round eggs encased within a gelatin substance, shown above. The eggs of Gulf Coast Toads hatch in 24 hours. The resulting tadpoles are barely more than fetuses, pictured below, and just hang on the gelatin for a day or so. They do not yet have mouths or well-formed gills. The gills appear the following day, and within a few days the tadpoles, bottom photo, are swimming and feeding.
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class: Amphibia / order: Anura / family: Bufonidae / genus: Bufo / species: valliceps
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