There are four toad species in Arkansas. This is Fowler's Toad, Bufo fowleri. It is closely related to Woodhouse's Toad, Bufo woodhousii, and they likely interbreed heavily. Woodhouse's tends to be concentrated in the southwest part of the state. This hefty female Fowler's was cruising over the lawn for night insects. The call of the two toads is different in pitch. Both make a 2 or 3 second waaaaaaaa like a sheep. The Dwarf American Toad, Bufo americanus charlesmithi, makes a trill noise lasting 6 to 30 seconds.

Note the dark spots on the back here have three, four and sometimes more warts and that the parotid gland (that raised mound behind the eye) touches the bony crest behind the eye. This distinguishes the Fowler's from the Dwarf and the Woodhouse's except in hybrids.

This is the Dwarf American with some nice red tones. It was actually perched up on this log when we found it. No doubt a good story involved. Don't know what it was. Note the big parotid glands well separated from the ridge behind the eyes except for the small connecting spur.