Eastern Narrowmouth Toad

Natural History

Upon a little consideration, I admit what I said in my last entry was not fair. Not everyone thinks Eastern Six-Lined Racerunners are more interesting than Eastern Narrowmouth Toads. I know, I should keep more of an open mind. I am sorry. Since I was so harsh on all of the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad lovers, I will dedicate this entry to that very creature.

Photograph courtesy of Mr. Ronn Altig in association with the Virginia Herpetological Society.

Your contribution is very welcome.

Yes, I posted a picture of a Gastrophryne carolinensis tadpole, but it looks really cool. It is incredibly streamlined and angular with an interesting tail design. It's like the Maserati of the tadpoles! I take it back. Maserati Toads are fantastic! Where could I find one of these things?! According to Savannah River Ecology Laboratory at the link in the parentheses (http://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/gascar.htm), Eastern Narrowmouth Toads can be found in any part of Southeast United States, except in the high elevations of the mountains. Wait!! Look at this picture!

Photograph courtesy of Suzanne L. Collins. Thank you, Suzanne.

I can't believe it! What happened to Maserati Toad? It's fat... With T-Rex arms... And half of a head peeking out from... somewhere. Let us find a more flattering picture.

Photograph courtesy of Kerry Kriger. You are well appreciated around these parts, Kerry.

That's a bit better. And the picture seems a little sharper. I was afraid this little guy was an out-of-focus toad altogether.

Well, let's get to talking more about Gastrophryne carolinensis. I shall try a different technique this go 'round and state my second and final URL source: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=AR0544. That website is known as Enature.com. Enature and Savannah tell us that the average length of an Eastern Narrowmouth Toad should be around 2.4 - 3.9 centimeters. We are, therefore, dealing with an incredibly small amphibian. Wow. They're really tiny! And, according to Psychology, such a tiny creature with outlandish physical features including a short and squat, very round body, relatively small limbs, and an itty bitty head would classify as considerably cute.

It would seem I would favor this species because it particularly enjoys eating ants. Maybe I should have adopted a few Narrowmouth Toads during my family's ant-demic about ten Summers back. Cinnamon works wonders, by the way. But back to the toads! I admit I find a particular pleasure in reading people's verbal descriptions of Gastrophryne carolinensis vocal calls. Enature says it sounds similar to a bleating sheep. Hahahahahahaha... Just wait until you hear the call... hahaha.... Savannah does a better job describing the call as a nasal, high-pitched "waaaaaaaaaaaaah." Hahahaha! That is quite true. I must say, though, that http://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/sounds/gascar.mp3 does the best job of describing the call of an Eastern Narrowmouth Toad.

Photograph courtesy of Herpjournal. I like your name. Keep up the good work.

Of course, the study of human insanity has to be correct. It is pretty cute... I like this toad best as an in-focus, Maserati tadpole, though. Seeing as nothing is exciting about the mating occasions of the Eastern Narrowmouth Toads, I must bid thee farewell. Supper is ready and I'm about to watch a futuristic alien doctor save multiple worlds from ornery alien races with a sonic screwdriver, or a daytime vigilante shooting arrows through the forest for the sake of poor folk! Have a wonderful morning/day/evening/night/out-of-body experience/etcetera.