Description: The eastern narrow-mouthed toad is relatively small, growing to a maximum length of 2.1 inches. It has an oval-shaped body and a narrow head with a pointed snout. They vary in color from brown and grey to green, often with black and white spotting. Gastrophryne carolinensis toads have a typical teardrop-shaped body that is characteristic of members of the family Microhylidae. Though its morphology lacks a tympanum (eardrum), the subgular vocal sac is clearly visible.

The skin of G. carolinensis is smooth and without ridges or warts. Yet, the skin is extremely tough, which most likely protects them from the ants upon which they feed. Directly behind the eyes, resting on the toads neck, is a distinctive skin fold evolved for protection from ant bites while feeding.

The color of the toad can change depending on its activities and environment. The colors on its sides are generally faded, but its dorsum is dark and broad with various light or dark spots, mottling, or patches that cover the light strip along its middorsal area. Its abdomen is generally highly mottled, but its ventral surface is nearly light or unmarked. The venters of certain narrow-mouthed toads in the Great Plains are generally unmarked, or virtually so, while those of eastern toads are strongly pigmented.

Its legs are generally stubby, short, and heavy, and the tips of the toes are round and tapered. As with the Leptodactylidae, the toes are absent of webbing or toe pads. However, the heels on the back feet have one "spade" or tubercle for digging.

The sex of the eastern narrow-mouthed toad can easily be determined by the characteristic sexual dimorphism. The color of the throat region for males is dark and highly pigmented, while the female throat is absent of this discriminate coloring.

Habitat: Although they live in a broad range of habitats and are rather ubiquitous, their most important environmental variables must include moisture and shelter. They reside in either freshwater or terrestrial systems, and are able to use both temporary and permanent waters, as well as man-modified habitats. The members of this species tend to discount dry areas and mountains, though some may live in near desert-like conditions. Adults of this species are tolerant of brackish water so they have been able to inhabit barrier islands and coastal marshes.

General habitat types include:
• Borders of swamps
• Cypress-gum swamps
• Bottomland hardwoods
• Live-oak ridges
• Pine-oak uplands
• Sandy woodlands and hillsides
• Open woods
• Pine forests
• Coastal secondary dune scrub forest
• Maritime forests
• Small streams
• Beneath logs
• Near ponds with fallen logs and other debris

Urban habitats such as:
• Woodland lots
• Sandy pinelands

Suburban habitats such as:
• Sandy soils around the lawn

Range: The narrow-mouthed toad can reach elevations up to 1,800 feet. They are generally absent from most Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Gastrophyryne carolinensis is only one of three species belonging to the family Microhylidae native to the United States. The species resides in the southeastern quarter of the US, extending from Missouri and eastern Texas and from southern Maryland to the Florida Keys, as well as in an isolated colony in Iowa.

Found in these States: AL | AR | FL | GA | IL | KS | KY | LA | MD | MO | MS | NC | OK | SC | TN | TX | VA

Diet: Eastern narrow-mouthed toads are ant specialists, so 95% of their prey items are of various ant species. These toads also feed on termites, small beetles, and other various arthropods. These various arthropods make up to 75% of their diet, though other prey may include small snails, spiders, mites, collembolans, and lepidopterans. Eastern narrow-mouth toads have a distinct skin fold on their upper neck, directly behind their eyes, that folds over to cover their eyes. This is hypothesized to be a protective mechanism against ant bites while feeding.

Reproduction: Gastrophryne carolinensis reproduces in aquatic habitats, and may breed in either temporary or permanent waters. The toad species will breed in deep water only if it is covered with a dense mat of floating vegetation or debris. They may also breed in ephemeral aquatic habitats such as temporary ponds, roadside ditches, borrow pits, deep wheel ruts in roads, and shallow drainage ditches. These variable breeding locations indicate that this species exhibits opportunistic breeding behaviors when choosing a breeding site.

The male toads call for mating at reproductive maturity. They generally call from the edge of the water when concealed by plant debris. Though more rare, they have also been observed to call while floating in the water with their fore limbs resting on stem or twig. Many times, they will also extend their hind limbs. They can also call the female while sitting on a bank, or on rainy nights while buried in the damp sand with only their head and vocal sac exposed. If they are reproducing in ephemeral aquatic habitats, the male toad calling will position himself to be completely underwater with only his head exposed. The males will also utilize any type of vegetation in its surroundings in order to hide while calling. If alarmed, the male will dive deep into the water then re-emerge after several minutes.

The mating call sounds like a high-pitched, penetrating, nasal, sheep-like bleat. It may also have a buzzing quality, and lasts for 1.0 to 1.5 seconds. Unlike other frog and toad species, G. carolinensis does not exhibit the typical trill sound in their mating call.

In the south, April to October rains initiate their breeding season, or midsummer in areas farther to the north. They congregate to breeding ponds depending on the heavy spring and early summer rains. The G. carolinensis species is particularly successful at breeding in ephemeral bodies of water. When the male amplexes the female, special glands in the sternal region of males secretes a sticky substance to allow adhesion of breeding pairs, and also presumably to help him resist other males' attempts to dislodge him. Breeding grasp (amplexus) for the toad species is axillary (behind the forelimbs).

The female spawns clear marble-like eggs on the surface of the water, which is deposited as a mosaic structure. The egg mass is round or squarish, with 10 to 150 eggs deposited as clusters in each mass. The female deposits over 800 tiny eggs that hatch within 1.5 to 3.0 days.

Status: According to the IUCN Red List category and criteria, Gastrophryne carolinensis is listed as a species of least concern due to its presumed large population, wide distribution, and ability to adapt to various habitats. Thus, no conservation actions are currently needed, though the population in northern Maryland is protected as an endangered species.

Subspecies: None

Taxonomy: