My Population Study of

Wild Toads in the Detroit area

In 1980, I caught my first toad at a garden shop and named her "Madface."  Ever since then, I have loved toads and frogs and have always had at least one for a pet at any given time.  In 2003, I started keeping track of the wild toads living outside around my home.

This page provides pictures and descriptions of 124 different toads I have captured around my home, photographed, and then released into my garden.  Each one has its own unique pattern of spots, stripes and bumps.  They also have their own personalities which seem to stay fairly consistent as they age.  It has been very enjoyable to find the same ones again and again. 

I started doing this in the summer of 2003.  I was tracking 7 toads by the end of 2003, #1-7.  Two of the seven were adult males.

Only one of the seven, toad #2, was found again the summer of 2004.  11 new toads were added in the summer of 2004, #8-12, and 14-19.  None of the eleven were adult males.  I also found one past toad, #2.

In 2005, I found 11 new toads, #20-30.  I didn't find any of my toads from previous years.  One of the eleven was an adult male.

In 2006, I found 56 new toads, #31-86, two of which were adult males.  I also found one past toad, #28.  Most of the new ones were teeny-tiny toads---smaller than I've ever found in this area before.  There must have been a huge "baby-boom" this year.

In 2007, I found 12 new toads, #87-98, four of which were adult males.  I also found one past toad, #72.

In 2008, I have found 27 new toads so far, #99-125, five of which were adult males.  I haven't found any of my toads from previous years.

In 2009, although I have stopped adding new toads to this list since I am tracking toads at my new residence on the Wild Toads of Metro-Detroit Page, I still check to see if any I find are already on this page.  I did find one past toad, #102.

Note:  There is no toad #13 because I accidentally catalogued it twice and had to remove it.

 

Here they are, sorted by their size when last caught.  Most recent captures are at the bottom of each size section.  Toads highlighted in green have survived one winter.

~1/2 -15/16 inches

Toad 33
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
6-29-06
 
 
Toad 34
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
6-29-06
 
 
Toad 35
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
6-29-06

 

Toad 36
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
6-29-06
 
 
Toad 37
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
6-29-06
 
 
Toad 39
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06
 
 
Toad 40
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06

 

Toad 41
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06
 
 
Toad 42
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06
 
 
Toad 43
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06
 
 
Toad 44
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06
 
 
Toad 45
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06
 
 
Toad 46
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-9-06

 

Toad 47
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-18-06
 
 
Toad 48
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-18-06

 

Toad 49
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-18-06

 

Toad 50
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-18-06

 

Toad 51
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-21-06
 
 
Toad 52
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-31-06

 

Toad 53
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-31-06

 

Toad 54
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
7-31-06

 

Toad 55
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
8-3-06
 
 
Toad 56
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
8-4-06
 
 
Toad 57
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain, from rental property
8-5-06
 
 
Toad 58
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain, very lively
8-11-06

 

Toad 60
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
8-17-06

 

Toad 62
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
8-20-06
 
 

Toad 63
1/2 inch 
sex uncertain
8-20-06
 

 

Toad 71
7/8 inch
sex uncertain
8-21-06
 
 
 
 
Toad 119
3/4 inches
sex uncertain
very frisky
6-27-08
 

 

1 - 1 1/2 inches

Toad 7
1 1/2 inches  
sex uncertain, docile
8-27-03
 
Toad 8
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain, easily frightened
5-19-04
 
Toad 15
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain, from rental property
8-1-04, 8-15-04
 
Toad 16
1 1/16 inches
sex uncertain
8-15-04
 
Toad 17
1 1/4 inches
sex uncertain
8-25-04
 
Toad 18
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain
8-25-04
 
Toad 19 "Bowtie"
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain, extremely docile, good jumper
8-25-04, 8-26-04, 8-28-04, 9-5-04
 
Toad 20
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain, very lively, not easily frightened
5-21-05 (first toad found in 2005)
 
Toad 23
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain
very frisky, good jumper
6-5-05
 
Toad 66
1 3/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-21-06

 

Toad 67
1 1/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-21-06

 

Toad 68
1 1/4 inches
sex uncertain
8-21-06

 

Toad 69
1 1/16 inches
sex uncertain
8-21-06

 

Toad 70
1 1/16 inches
sex uncertain
8-21-06

 

Toad 73
1 3/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-25-06

 

Toad 74
1 1/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-25-06
 
 
Toad 59
1 1/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-11-06, 8-17-06, 8-25-06
 
 
Toad 75
1 3/16 inches
sex uncertain
8-25-06

 

Toad 76
1 3/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-25-06

 

Toad 77
1 inch 
sex uncertain
8-25-06

 

Toad 78
1 1/8 inches
sex uncertain, especially fast
8-25-06

 

Toad 79
1 5/16 inches
sex uncertain, docile
8-27-06
 
 
Toad 81
1 3/8 inches
sex uncertain
8-30-06

 

Toad 83
1 7/16 inches
sex uncertain, very scared
8-30-06

 

Toad 84
1 1/8 inches
sex uncertain
9-2-06

 

Toad 86
1 5/16 inches
sex uncertain
9-24-06
 
 
 
Toad 88
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain
5-19-07

 

Toad 100
1 3/8 inches
sex uncertain
frisky
5-31-08
 
Toad 104
1 1/4 inches
sex uncertain
likes backrubs
6-12-08

 

Toad 118
1 1/2 inches
sex uncertain
timid, had respiratory infection
6-27-08
 
Toad 122
1 3/8 inches
sex uncertain
very calm
8-13-08

 

 
 
 

1 9/16 - 2 7/16 inches

Toad 1
2 inches
female, gentle
6-25-03
 
Toad 2 "Little J"
2 1/4 inches
female, very lively, highly spotted underbelly, excellent high-jump
7-3-03, 5-22-04, 6-6-04, 6-26-04
 
Toad 3
1 3/4 inches
female, lively
7-13-03, 7-14-03
 
Toad 4
2 1/4 inches
male, lively
7-15-03
 
Toad 9
2 inches
female, lively, but docile second time caught
5-19-04, 5-29-04
 
Toad 10
2 inches
female, lively, lightly spotted underbelly, 
reddish hue
5-22-04
 
Toad 11
1 9/16 inches
female, lively
5-24-04
 
Toad 22
2 1/4 inches
female, VERY lively, excellent jumper,
not easily frightened
6-2-05

 

Toad 24
1 11/16 inches
female, VERY lively, excellent jumper,
not easily frightened
6-10-05
 
 
Toad 25
2 1/4 inches
female, very lively, good jumper, 
docile only if held for long periods
6-22-05
 
 
Toad 27
1 3/4 inches
female (although attempts to chirp a lot)
lively, but docile at times
7-31-05
 
Toad 29
2 inches
male
excellent high jumper
8-28-05
 
Toad 30
1 3/4 inches
female
very spotted underbelly
extremely strong and active
9-13-05
 
 
 
Toad 26
2 3/16 inches
male
lively, excellent climber, 
grew nearly 1 inch in 8 weeks and gained ability to chirp
7-21-05, 9-21-05

 

Toad 31
2 inches
female
lightly spotted chest, white belly
mildly active
5-6-06
 
 
Toad 28
1 5/16 inches on 8-28-05
2 1/8 inches on 6-4-06
male 
was excellent and fast jumper, second time caught more docile---likes to be held
 
 
Toad 32
3/16 inches
male
faint spots on chest, yellowish belly
extremely active, excellent long jump, very chirpy
6-24-06
Toad 61
1 9/16 inches
female
8-17-06
 
 
 
 
Toad 64
1 5/8 inches
female
8-21-06

 

Toad 65
1 5/16 inches
female
8-21-06

 

Toad 80
2 inches
female, very docile
8-27-06, 8-30-06
 
 
Toad 82
1 9/16 inches
female, docile, easily frightened
8-30-06

 

Toad 85
1 11/16 inches
female
9-18-06
 
 
Toad 87
2 3/8 inches
female, docile then suddenly tense and frisky
4-28-07
 
 
Toad 89
1 5/8 inches
female
5-19-07

 

Toad 90
1 11/16 inches
female
5-19-07
 
 
Toad 91
1 3/4 inches
female
5-19-07

 

 

Toad 92
1 15/16 inches
female, frisky
6-6-07

 

 

Toad 94
2 3/16 inches
female, docile, loves to be pet
6-16-07
 
 
 
Toad 95
2 1/16 inches on 6-18-07
2 3/8 inches on 7-14-07
male, very frisky and very chirpy
small cross shape on chest,
first found sitting on paint can in garage
 
 
Toad 96
2 3/16 inches
female, frisky
6-18-07
 
 
Toad 97
2 inches
male, frisky
6-18-07
 
 
Toad 98
2 1/8 inches
male, frisky,
but will calm down to enjoy a back rub
9-3-07
 
Toad 99
2 3/8"
female, frisky,
but calms down and seems to enjoy being held
5-31-08
 
Toad 101
1 3/4 inches
female
likes to jump
6-5-08

 

Toad 102, "Triangle Toad"
2 1/2 inches
female
calm, timid, but friendly
6-5-08 --- had respiratory infection
6-27-08 --- didn't have infection, grew 1/4 inch
9-29-08 --- grew 1/4 inch, found on 60 degree night in the rain
10-11-08, 10-13-08 --- had respiratory infection
10-24-08 --- found on 49 degree rainy night, but didn't to have the respiratory infection
6-28-09 --- found near the garage in the daytime.

 

Toad 103
1 7/8 inches
female
found in garage (very dark in color at first),
urinated a lot, loves backrubs
6-12-08

 

Toad 106
2 1/8 inches
male
extremely lively and chirpy
6-16-08

 

   
Toad 105
2 1/4 inches
female
good jumper, nice/docile, had respiratory infection.
Very unusual markings (white and beige spots on stomach and above left foreleg)
Still measured the same after almost one month
6-5-08, 7-3-08

 

Toad 107
1 3/4 inches
female
very frisky
6-19-08
 
 
Toad 108
1 5/8 inches
female?
calm, likes back rubs,
good high jumper
6-21-08
 
Toad 109
1 3/4 inches
female
very frisky
6-21-08
 

 

Toad 110
1 3/4 inches
female
extremely frisky
6-21-08
 

 

Toad 111
2 inches
male
frisky
6-21-08

 

 

Toad 112, "Longbump"
1 7/8 inches on 6-21-08, 2 1/8" on 7-8-08
also found 7-12-08 (under garbage can lid), 7-13-08, 7-15-08 (in water from sprayer nozzle)
male
excellent climber

 

 

Toad 113
2 inches
female
very frisky at times, cam/timid at others
6-21-08

 

Toad 114
1 3/4 inches
male?  trying hard to chirp, little sound
frisky
6-21-08

 

Toad 115
2 inches
male
highly spotted underbelly, had respiratory infection
6-25-08

 

Toad 120
2 inches
female
very timid, urinated
7-3-08

 

Toad 121
2 inches
female
fairly calm, found inside the garage
7-3-08

 

Toad 123
2 inches
female
very friendly, loves backrubs
8-13-08
 
 
Toad 124
1 5/8 inches
female
calm at first, then frisky.
good long and fast jump
8-28-08
 
 
 

 

Toad 125
2 inches
male
very calm and friendly, timid at times
9-5-08
9-10-08 at 60 degrees F at night
9-21-08 Sadly, this sweet little guy was cut by the lawnmower near his anus.  I didn't think he would make it from the looks of the wound---you could see right into his body cavity.  It took him 8 days, but he finally defecated, which let me know that it didn't cut his intestine (a huge shock).  I applied Neosporin twice a day and kept him in a clean rubbermaid bin.  He also soaked in a tetracycline bath for several hours a day.  Within a few weeks, the wound was no longer open and skin was forming over it.  On October 12, I transferred him to a terrarium with soil where I will keep him for the winter while his skin gets tough (right now it is a delicate tissue-thin layer).  Then he will be released.
Update:  December 26, 2008 --- he is doing great!

 

       
 

2 1/2 + inches

Toad 5
3 inches
male, very lively
8-15-03
 
Toad 6
2 1/2 inches
female, lively, but docile at times
8-15-03
 
Toad 12
2 1/2 inches
female, friendly, but frisky at times
very pointy bumps
5-25-04

 

 
Toad 14
2 1/2 inches
female, very docile, lightly spotted underbelly
has similar "j" marking to #2
6-20-04
 
 
 
Toad 21
2 1/2 inches
female, lively, but calm when held for long periods,
grew 1/2 inch in 2 weeks
5-28-05, 6-11-05
 
Toad 38
2 3/4 inches
female, lively, but calm when held for long periods,
7-5-06, 7-15-06

Toad 93
2 1/2 inches
male, docile, loves to be pet
6-16-07

 

Toad 72
female, docile
1 3/4 inches on 8-22-06
2 5/16 on 6-18-07

 

Toad 116
2 3/4 inches
female
friendly, likes backrubs, timid when touched
6-26-08

 

Toad 117
2 1/2 inches
female
friendly
6-27-08

 

    

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