Gulf Coast toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gulf Coast toad |
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Bufo trachypus Wiegmann, 1833 |
The Gulf Coast toad (Incilius valliceps) is a type of toad found in North and Central America. These toads live in eastern and southeastern Mexico. You can also find them in Central America, as far south as Costa Rica.
About the Gulf Coast Toad
The Gulf Coast toad is a medium-sized toad. It usually grows to be about 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) long. Their back can be many colors. It might be nearly black, or shades of brown and grey.
A special feature is a stripe down their back. This stripe is often white or yellowish. Sometimes, they also have lighter patches on their sides. Their belly is usually yellow or cream colored.
The skin on their back has small bumps called tubercles. Their belly is usually smooth. This toad also has many ridges on its head. These ridges go from its nose to the back of its head. Some ridges even wrap around the back of its eyes.
Where Gulf Coast Toads Live
Gulf Coast toads live in many different places. You can find them in open grassland areas. They also live in dry, semi-arid regions and light forests. Sometimes, they even show up in people's backyards!
These toads usually stay close to a water source. They need water for breeding in the spring. But they can travel long distances to find food.
What Gulf Coast Toads Eat
Like most toads, the Gulf Coast toad is an opportunistic carnivore. This means it will eat almost any small creature it can catch. They mostly eat small arthropods. Arthropods are creatures like insects and spiders. The toad will eat whatever it can overpower and swallow.
