Gulf Coast Toad

Lately, when I have come home from the gym at night, I've noticed something next to my driveway. When I get close it hops back and goes under a buckle in the driveway caused by an Oak tree. Upon closer inspection I found it is a Gulf Coast Toad - Bufo nebulifer.

The taxonomy of the Gulf Coast Toad is a bit confusing. The scientific name of this species has been undergoing some changes. This toad seems to be the most abundant specie of toad in the Houston area. I have seen it all over the city in neighborhoods and apartment complexes. It is very easily found at night after a rain where it can be seen hoping around the streets, sidewalks, and lawns. It eats any small animal that will fit in its mouth.

Here is the toad sitting outside of its home. Garden centers sell toad homes which are like an upside-down pots with a hole on the side for them to enter but toads will use many things to make there homes. A lot of times I find toad homes at the base of a tree betweeen the groves that will form roots below the surface of the soil.

One of the keys to identifying the Gulf Coast Toad is the dark band that runs a long side of the animal. They also have a deep V ridge between the eyes. The size is about 4 inches from tip of mouth to the tail end.

At night time after a rain look out for these toad while driving through your neighborhood. Drive slowly because they usually just look like a stone or leaf until they hop-hop-hop. Also, be careful not to run them over. Toads are beneficial to humans because they eat tons of insects (including big disgusting cockroaches) and keep those insect populations down.