Fowlers or American Toads

[oregon newt]

Hey guys here are some of the toads from my yard. Their either fowlers or American. I forget how to tell them apart. Doesn't it have something to do with belly markings?

 

[Andy Avram]

Oregon Newt,

Your pictures are all of American Toads. While there are many instances where it can be hard to tell them apart (and they have been known to hybridize) there are few key characteristics.

Fowler's Toad have 3 or more warts per spot, Americans have less than 2 (this characteristic is highly variable though).

Fowler's Toads have a pure white belly occasionally with one black blotch, Americans have a mottled belly.

Fowler's Toads cranial crests (little ridges behind the eyes) touch the parotid gland while Americans do not touch or touch with a short spur (doesn't work with small toads).

Fowler's Toads have warts of approximately equal size on the legs, while Americans have warts of different sizes on different parts of the leg (a good characterist to use).

Lastly, Fowler's Toad jump more like a frog than hop like an American Toad.

Andy