American Toad vs. Fowler's Toad
The two share most of the East, from Louisiana and Texas to New England, and hybridize where they meet. A: A gap between the ridge behind the eye and the parotoid (joined by a spur at times) in the American Toad; the faint ridge runs right onto the top of the parotoid: no gap in the Fowler's Toad. B: Very large calf warts, much bigger than the thigh warts in the American Toad; calf warts about the same size as the thigh warts in the Fowler's Toad. C: Usually one or two enlarged warts; spots small, round or tear-shaped in the American Toad; many small warts that are NOT enlarged, in larger, irregular camouflage blotches in the Fowler's Toad. D: Conspicuous dark spots on the chest and belly in the American Toad; few to no spots; often one dark "pushpin" spot in the middle of the chest in the Fowler's Toad. E: A broad head; grows large, often over 2.5 in from snout to vent in the American Toad; a small, short, petite head; rarely over 2.5 in from snout to vent in the Fowler's Toad. F: Big spots, often a wishbone-shaped spot between the parotoids; calf warts already larger in the American Toad; the parotoid very close to the eye; many small spots and no enlarged warts in the Fowler's Toad. These toads hybridize where they meet: judge by the sum of the checks, not one feature, and use place and call. Calls: a long musical trill, usually over 11 seconds (American), against a short nasal groan (Fowler's).
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