The Eastern Narrowmouth Toad is characterized by moist skin, a fold of skin across the back of the head behind the eyes, a very pointed snout and small head compared to the rest of the body, a spotted or mottled belly, and a distinct color. The head, limbs, and body of this species range from a uniform brown to reddish brown. A narrow light stripe down the back may or may not be present. The belly is whitish with dark gray spots or mottling. Females grow larger than males. Males differ from females by having blackish throats. The toes are not webbed.
Adults normally 22-32 mm (½- 1¼ inches) in snout-vent length. The largest Kansas specimen is a male (KU 218746) from the Spring River Wildlife Area (Cherokee County) with a snout-vent length of 37 mm (17⁄16 inches) collected by Travis W. Taggart, Shane Eckhardt, Kelly J. Irwin, and Joseph T. Collins on 28 September 1991. The maximum length throughout the range is 38.1 mm (1½ inches) (Powell et al. 2016).
This small frog is known only from the extreme southeastern Cherokee County within the Spring River drainage basin. It's primary population is on the Ozark Plateau, however, it follows riparian corridors along Brush, Shawnee, and Cow creeks to the north and west into the Cherokee Plain.
Miller (1991) studied the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad in Cherokee County, and much of the information known about this species in Kansas is based on his observations.
This amphibian probably spends much of the year in the loose, moist soil beneath large rocks and logs shaded by trees in the vicinity of temporary woodland pools, ponds, and ditches. It is active from late April to mid-September and is apparently restricted to suitable habitat along the Spring River and its larger tributaries in Cherokee County. They are secretive when not actively chorusing, but may be found by overturning rocks, boards, or logs in woodland habitats or encountered on rain-soaked roadways as they forage. The Western and Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toads are unique among Kansas frogs in that they are commonly turned up under rocks, most commonly in April and May.
This small animal is a spring breeder, with mating activity occurring anytime in May and June, weather permitting. It breeds in clear temporary pools or ditches that are free of predators and have lush vegetation. A male commences chorusing, attracts a female to the water, mounts her, and clasps her securely behind her front limbs with his forelegs. The female lays the eggs in the water, where they are fertilized by the male. The eggs (up to 850 per female) form a surface mass in the water and quickly hatch into small tadpoles which metamorphose within two months. Collins (1982) reported a chorus of three males in Cherokee County on 22 May. Miller (1985, 1991) found this amphibian calling in the same county from 5 to 22 June at air temperatures of 64°F or higher.
This species feeds almost exclusively on ants.
Miller (1985) observed Water Snakes (Nerodia) and Western Ribbon Snakes at the breeding sites of Eastern Narrowmouth Toads in Cherokee County and speculated that they might prey on these small amphibians.
The Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad was first reported in Kansas by Smith (1947) based on a specimen (KU 24414) collected "4 miles east and ½ mile north of Baxter Springs", Cherokee County on 24 April 1947 by Edward P. Beasley. KU 24414 is the earliest existing specimen for this species in Kansas.
Collins (1982) extensively surveyed the Ozark Plateau for this taxon and discovered several new localities, doubling the number of known vouchers at the time (from 3 to 6). He suggested that this taxon be designated as a State Endangered Species. Miller (1991) studied this frog in the Ozark Plateau and provided additional information on its distribution and habitat requirements. Further efforts to study these frogs in Kansas should include surveys along Brush, Shawnee, and Cow creeks to better determine the northern and western limits of their range in the state.
Listed as a Threatened species in Kansas in 1987 and no recovery plan has been completed. Platt et al. (1974) recommended that any breeding sites of this species located on governmental property or on private property of willing landowners be designated sanctuaries. Collins (1980) proposed that the species be designated an endangered species in Kansas and receive protection by state law. Miller (1991) urged that this frog be given legal protection in Kansas.
As defined by Kansas Administrative Regulation, critical habitats include those areas documented as currently supporting self-sustaining population(s) of any threatened or endangered species of wildlife as well as those areas determined by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism to be essential for the conservation of any threatened or endangered species of wildlife.
Currently, the following areas are designated as critical habitat for Eastern Narrowmouth Toad:
All suitable habitats within that portion of Cherokee County lying south and east of a line beginning at the Kansas-Missouri border at NE corner Sec. 36, T32S, R25E, then extending due west to the NW corner Sec. 32, T32S, R25E, then extending due south to the SW corner Sec. 17, T34S, R25E, then following US 66 southwesterly to the Kansas-Oklahoma border at the NW/4 Sec. 13, T35S, R24E.
Based on a captive specimen, Snider and Bowler (1992) reported a maximum longevity for this frog of six years, nine months, and sixteen days.
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