Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Life in the Water · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. A fold of skin behind its eyes can slide over them, shielding the toad from ant bites while it feeds.
2. A 2013 study found 4,859 ants in the stomachs of 146 toads in Florida scrub.
3. If a predator catches it, the toad oozes an irritating, nasty skin slime, and predators often refuse to eat it.
4. In the rainy breeding season, a female can lay over 800 tiny eggs. They hatch in just 1.5 to 3 days.
5. It lives as high as 550 m, and it copes with slightly salty water, so it even lives on barrier islands.

The quiz

1. What can the fold of skin behind its eyes do?

• Cover the eyes to block ant bites (correct)
• Glow in the dark
• Act as a sunshade only
• Fall off and regrow

The fold can cover its eyes, protecting it from ant bites while it feeds.

2. How many toads were studied in Florida scrub in 2013?

• 14
• 46
• 146 (correct)
• 1,460

The study found 4,859 ants in the stomachs of 146 toads.

3. What does a grabbed toad release?

• A loud scream
• A cloud of ink
• A sticky silk thread
• An irritating, bad-tasting skin slime (correct)

It oozes an irritating, nasty skin slime, and predators often refuse to eat it.

4. How fast can the eggs hatch?

• In as little as 15 days
• In 3 weeks
• In as little as 1.5 days (correct)
• In 2 months

The eggs hatch in as little as 1.5 days.

5. Up to what elevation can this toad be found?

• 55 m
• 550 m (correct)
• 5,500 m
• 1,000 m

It can be found as high as 550 m.

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