18 



THE AQUARIUM BULLETIN 



Frogs and Toads in a Terrariuni 



By Richard Deckert 

 of the N. Y. Zoological Society 



Common Toad (Bufo Americanus) * 



Having treated at length of the 

 Newts and Salamanders, we now 

 come to the other order of the Am- 

 phibians, the Salienta or "Junipers," 

 from the universal habits of most of 

 its members. This of course means 

 the Frogs, Toads and Tree-toads. 



Of the toads, the Fowler's toad, 

 Bufo foivlcri, is the only representa- 

 tive on Long Island, but on the 

 mainland, in Westchester County and 

 New Jersey, another species is found 

 beside this. This is Bufo americanus 

 the "Common Toad." Both species 

 are numerous wherever they occur. 

 The American toad is the first to 

 appear in Spring, and his long trilled 

 whistle can be heard in late March 

 and throughout April well into May. 

 The Fowler's Toad arrives at the 

 ponds somewhat later — usually the 

 first week in May, and both species 

 can be heard together for a short 

 time. 



The song of the Fowler's Toad is 

 much shorter, and more harsh in 

 quality — a high note combined with a 

 low drone, lasting about 3 to 5 



Fowlei-'s Toad (Bufo E'cwleii) * 



seconds. In appearance the males of 

 both species look very much alike, 

 and it is hard for the novice to tell 

 them apart. The females of the 

 Fowler's Toad are smoother and 

 never attain the size of those of B. 

 americanus. The largest Fowler's 

 Toads I have seen came from 

 Massachusetts, and measured 3% 

 inches from snout to vent, while some 

 giant female American toads from 

 Sulli\an Co., N. Y. measured 5 

 inches the same way — which is quite 

 a respectable size for a toad. These 

 large mountain toads were covered 

 with prominent spiny tubercles all 

 over, and their color was a rich sepia 

 brown, with sooty black spots. The 

 crests on the head, the parotoid glands 

 and some large warts on the back, 

 sides and calf of the leg were brilli- 

 ant brick red. This rich coloring as 

 well as the rough skin gave these 

 toads the appearance as if they had 

 been carved and burnt out of wood. 

 Of both species, the American toad 

 is the better suited for captivity, as 

 it is not so wild as the Fowler's — it 



