By: Amelia Basile, Former NJSOC Education Intern & Volunteer
The Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) is native to New Jersey, as well as Michigan and parts of the US coast of the Gulf of Mexico. These amphibians thrive in a wide range of habitats from woodlands to beaches. However, they cannot withstand extreme temperatures, so they burrow underground for protection during the hot and cold months. The Fowler’s Toad can be identified by its dark spot on its underside, spots with 3+ warts throughout the top of its body, and a lighter colored line down its back.
Fowler’s Toads can be found hunting for small invertebrates at night. They breed in temporary or permanent pools of water and eggs are laid by the thousands. Many animals eat the eggs and the grown Fowler’s Toads even like birds and snakes. To defend themselves, they rely on their camouflage or excrete a poisonous substance to deter predators.
Humans pose a large threat to Fowler’s Toads as well. Habitat destruction is taking their habitats away and replacing it with ground that they cannot camouflage themselves in. Fertilizers and pesticides also cause a decline in species that live in areas with chemical use. Before January of 2025, the Fowler’s Toad was listed as a species of special concern in NJ. It is now listed as stable; however, they are still in threat of human pollution and habitat destruction.
It is still important to protect and preserve this species as its diet consists mainly of species that humans consider pests, like crickets and other small insects. This aids in regulating ecosystem services for humans which are extremely important for our existence on a functioning planet. Amphibians like the Fowler’s Toad are the main food sources for larger animals which play larger roles in the ecosystem overall.
References:
https://conservewildlifenj.org/?species=anaxyrus-fowleri