October 8, 2025

I am known as a Southern Toad

I blend in with my surroundings just swell!

It's easy to sneak 

Up on what I like to eat

Crickets, roaches and invertebrates as well.

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Sources: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/southerntoad.shtml

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

May 27, 2024

I am known as a Southern Toad

My skin can be tan to dark reddish brown

On my back I've dark spots

Each has one or two warts

Freshwater habitats are where I am found.

Location: The Nature Conservancy Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (Garden of Eden trail)

Sources: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/southerntoad.shtml

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

April 24, 2023

I am known as a Southern Toad

I'd never front a band or sing harmony

My call is a shrill 1 note trill

Not much melody but enough to ID me. 

Location: Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, Christmas

Sources: https://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/bufter.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 23, 2022

I am known as a Southern Toad

You can find me near humans,  I am urbanized

You can tell I'm not an invasive Cane Toad

By the ridges that end in bumps behind my eyes.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Sebastian

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-herps/florida-frog-calls/southern-toad/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 6, 2021

I am known as a Southern Toad

I am found in most southeastern states.

But I am not found in the state of Tennessee

Southern Toad don't need them around anyway.

(With all apologies to both Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Location: Sumica Nature Preserve, Polk County

Sources: https://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/bufter.htm

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 24, 2020

I am known as a Southern Toad

My skin is warty but my color and spots vary

I was conceived from a jelly coil of 4000 eggs

Which dad fertilized but he and mom never uh, "married".

(Females lay the jelly coil in the water, which the male toad fertilizes externally. Where is the fun in that??)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/574455b9f8baf3fd9156d863/t/5be1d8f88985833206fafcba/1541527814117/Southern+Toad_Observation+Guide.pdf

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 1, 2020

I am known as a Southern Toad,
I'm an omnivore that mostly comes out at night.
You might mistake me for an invasive Cane toad
But I've ridges that end in large glands by my eyes.

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/southern-toad/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 11, 2017

Location: Titusville, Enchanted Forest

I'm a baby Southern Toad,
I'm so small, it's hard to see me.
I hatch in the muck, and blend in so well,
I'm a virtual Houdini!

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson