Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
(Gastrophryne carolinensis)

Description: This small, but rotund frog has a pointed snout and a fold of skin just at the base of the head. They are variable in color, but generally brown, gray, tan or reddish, with a mottled underside. The rarely get over 1.5 inches in length, and have shorten limbs relative to their body.  

Natural History: Due to its small size, this frog is rarely observed on the surface. They spend most of their time under cover, in leaf litter, or buried in sand or loose soil. They can be present in a variety of habitats and will form dense choruses in shallow, fishless wetlands following rains during breeding seasons. Breeding season takes place from early spring to late fall. 

The ‘narrow-mouth’ of this frog allows it to specialize in a small insectivorous diet. They mainly consume ants, termites, and small beetles.

 Similar Species: The size and unique shape of this frogs head and body make this frog easy to distinguish from other frog species in its range. 

Distribution:  This frog is found along the east coast of the United States from Maryland and Virginia, south through Florida and then west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. It is absent from the highest elevations in the Appalachians.  

Contributed by Jake Zadik (7/14/21)

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad Vocalizations:

Click here to view South Carolina county records of this species on Herpmapper.org