Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Gastrophryne carolinensis

Silhouette: Dmitry Bogdanov (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR Endemic
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Houston

In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%

110 Verified sightings at Houston
130 In all 4 parks From 2019 to 2026
July Best month
☀️🌙 Day & Night When it's spotted

About the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Gastrophryne carolinensis, the eastern narrow-mouthed toad, is a species of microhylid frog. It is a relatively small, toad-like amphibian found in damp, shady habitats. The species is highly fossorial, and feeds primarily on ants. These North American microhylids (Family: Microhylidae) are distinguished from true toads (genus Bufo), and other anurans by their moist, smooth skin, their lack of eardrums or tympana, their distinguishable squat body shape, and the unique fold of skin superior to their eyes. It is found in the United States, from southern Maryland to the Florida Keys, west to Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. While not a true toad, it is so called because it is terrestrial.

Gastrophryne carolinensis belongs to one of the largest anuran families, the microhylids. No subspecies are currently recognized. The eastern narrowmouth toad is one of only three microhylids that currently live in the United States.

The eastern narrow-mouthed toad is relatively small, growing to a maximum length of 53 mm (2.1 in). It has an oval-shaped body and a narrow head with a pointed snout. On the back of their head, they have a fold of skin that is capable of covering... Wikipedia →

Sounds

Advertisement call0:09

United States · 2015

© Chris Harrison · XC890982 · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Recording0:22

United States · 2025

© Mike Duran · iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0

Recording0:05

United States · 2025

© Raúl MT · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Big Cypress National Preserve 🇺🇸 United States
~30%
2 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
3 Congaree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
4 Padre Island National Seashore 🇺🇸 United States
~10%

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Houston 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
2 Orlando 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
3 Miami 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
4 Austin 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Zoos & Centres Where Found

# Zoo / Centre Country
1 Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium 🇺🇸 United States In captivity

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad in Houston?

With luck

About 10% of wildlife watchers report an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad sighting in Houston on a given day, based on 110 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 7th most-seen of the 11 amphibians we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad in Houston?

January to November

In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad in Houston on a given day, against under 5% in December, the lowest month.

What time of day is best to see an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad?

Between 8 and 11 pm

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad sightings with a recorded time, and about 6 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is seen both by day and at night.

Is Houston the best place to see an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad?

Yes

Of the 4 cities where we can rate Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad sightings, Houston has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Orlando (United States, about 10%) and Miami (United States, under 5%).

Which relatives of the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad live in Houston?

Same order: Anura

The closest relatives of the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad that you can see in Houston (order Anura, Frogs and Toads) are Gulf Coast Toad (about 30%), Green Treefrog (about 20%) and American Bullfrog (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad is recorded against all the amphibians logged in Houston (110 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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