310 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



toads are not easily distinguished and few persons realize 

 the existence of more than one species. Fowler's Toad is 

 more slender than the American, the protuberances on the 

 skin are smaller, the two large glands of the head are nar- 

 rower, and it never has the deep reddish pigments of its 

 relative. The Southern Toad (B. lentiginosus) overlaps 

 the range of the American Toad in the southern states, and 

 is easily known by the large knobs which mark the ends of 

 the cranial crests. The Oak Toad (B. quercicus), of the 

 southeast, is the smallest of the American toads (adults are 

 only a little over one inch in length). It is so tiny and 

 obscure that it is not easily observed, and its habits are not 

 so well known as those of other species. 



All of the toads make interesting pets. They soon become 

 tame and confiding, and show no sign of fear in the pres- 

 ence of the observer. 



About seventeen species of typical frogs (Ranid^) are 

 known in North America, of which five are found abun- 

 dantly in the northeastern states. The Bullfrog {Rana 

 catesbiana) is found everywhere east of the Rockies, al- 

 though it has been so much persecuted, because of its large 

 size, that it is restricted to unsettled districts. This species 

 reaches a large size and is easily known by this character 

 and its proportionately broad head. The Bullfrog is essen- 

 tially aquatic in habit and does not leave the water so 

 frequently as other species. In captivity it must not be 

 associated with smaller individuals, as it is distinctly can- 

 nibalistic. 



The Pond or Green Frog (R. damitans) is the common 

 green and olive frog of our ponds and streams. It is a 

 water-loving species and is usually seen in or near its natu- 

 ral element. Market hunters have greatly reduced its 

 numbers. 



The Leopard Frog (R. pipiens) and the Pickerel Frog 



