An explosion of toads on the Hi-Line

This region recently saw a massive growth in the number of toads in the area, leading to people reporting seeing them where they had not seen them before and seeing mass migrations of the amphibians in the region across U.S. Highway 2 in the early morning hours, at locations like near Gildford and the turnoff to Fresno Reservoir.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks provided information about the toads generally in the area, the Woodhouse's and Great Plains toads.

The two kinds of species are very similar and incredibly difficult to distinguish the difference, even by the most trained herpetologists.

Woodhouse's toad tadpoles lack the strongly arched tail fin and eggs are enclosed in a single jelly layer. The beginning stages of the Woodhouse's toad evolution are much more likely to be found in shallow and semi-permanent waters than those of Great Plains toad.

The fully aged Woodhouse's toad do not have the shield on the tip of the snout, making this another feature that helps separate and distinguish the toads appearance. Woodhouse's toads do not carry the same coloration pattern that are present on the Great Plains toad.

Great Plains toads are grey, brown and green in color, with darker colored blotching. This toad can grow in length between 2 and 5 inches. The toad emerges from its burrow for a few weeks at a time and only when the conditions are right. The toads are usually most active at night, but in areas with large bodies of water and plentiful rains, the toad has been observed being active all day.

Fields and areas in Hill County saw a massive influx of water this year when the heavy winter snow rapidly melted, causing significant flooding damage - a federal flooding disaster declaration includes Hill County - and left a large amount of water standing in the fields.

The Great Plains toad feeds on a range of insects, varying from ants to termites. The plains garter snake is the toads' biggest prey.

The amphibian's skin is covered with many small warts. Young toads typically have reddish colored warts. A white stripe tends to extend down the center of the back and large greenish-brown blotches are present. These blotches are outlined or separated by white bands.

Woodhouse's toads are robust amphibians and can grow up to a length of 5 inches. The back or upper side is grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, and it is covered with small darker colored spots.

The Great Plains toads also have a narrow pale line running along the spine. Its belly is a pale color and unspotted.

The Woodhouse's toads are nocturnal and feeds on ants, bees and other insects, as well as spiders. The toads generally reside in areas near still water, ponds, swamps and streams and is typically found throughout most of the central and western United States.

Woodhouse's toads are named after the 19th century explorer and surgeon, Samuel Woodhouse. Prior to the toads receiving this name, they were called Rocky Mountain toads.