Identifying the Sex of Toads and Frogs


One of the most frequently asked questions we get from visitors to toadilytoads.com is how to determine the sex of a toad or frog. I am going to give you a basic idea but I think it is important to understand that there can be many exceptions to this and that it's more of a generalization than a rule.

One of the easiest species to differentiate between male and female is bufo americanus (American toad). The rules here apply to other species like bufo fowleri and bufo woodhousei, as well (Fowler's and Woodhouse). However, some of this doesn't seem to help in differentiating between male and female Rococos (bufo paracnemis), so again, this is more of a generalization than a rule.

Bufo Americanus males have one of the most beautiful songs in all of nature. Their shrill call is easy to identify and can be heard only briefly each year during mating season. I would also like to point out that there has always appeared to be less males than females. Here on toadilytoads.com, we get many emails asking us if we can identify the sex and species of a particular toad and most often, it's a female regardless of what species it is. I don't know if anyone has factual data on this, but this has been my observation. Also, I might add that I can usually tell on first site if the toad is male or female without much investigation. I guess 27 years of experience makes it easy.

PS: Don't forget to check out our page on how to tell a frog from a toad. If you want to know the difference, click here.



Generally, the female is larger. Her skin is rougher and has more bumps. She is silent and her throat sack is not dark in color.




The male has smoother skin and is much smaller. His arms are thick and powerful looking compared to a female.




And here is a fully mature female carrying eggs.








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