Bufo fowerli is an abundant toad of relatively small size, ranging from 2 inches to a maximum of 3.75 inches. While this species usually displays an immaculate venter, many specimens have been observed in possessing a single dark breast spot. A light colored middorsal stripe, coupled with a brown or gray dorsal surface is characteristic of B. fowleri. On occasion, specimens have also been documented in displaying a green or reddish dorsal. In general, B. fowleri characteristically displays at least three of the following characteristics: tibia with no greatly enlarged warts, no spots on the chest or belly, the largest dark spots containing at least three warts, and a parotoid gland that boarders the cranial ridge.

Similar species may be distinguished from the following features: 1) the American Toad displays no more than 2 warts in dark regions coupled with a spotted chest; 2) the Gulf Coast Toad possesses a prominent dark stripe instead of the light colored stripe observed in B. fowleri; and, 3) the rear region of the cranial chest of the Southern Toad displays pronounced knobs.

 

The species was named after an early Massachusetts naturalist, S.P. Fowler.

This species account was based on the account written in (Conant and Collins 1991)