COLUMBUS, OH -- A population of the rare Eastern spadefoot toad has been identified in Coshocton County according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Ridgewood High School biology teacher Dan Eggan and his students found the frogs while monitoring a wetland for amphibians and aquatic insect species near West Lafayette. The teacher and students detected the endangered toad by its uncommon call. The male spadefoots croak sounds like whar and is similar to a young crow call.
Eggan contacted Jeff Davis, coordinator of the ODNR Division of Wildlifes Frog and Toad Calling Count Survey, who was able to verify the presence of the Eastern spadefoot toad.
The Coshocton County population represents the most northern location that this species has been found in Ohio, said ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Steven A. Gray. The interest of this biology teacher and the curiosity of his students to learn more about the natural world have led to a very exciting discovery. Finding the spadefoots here may help us find it elsewhere in the Tuscarawas River region.
Prior to this spring, only three distinct populations of the Eastern spadefoot toads were known to exist in Ohio, one in the Washington-Morgan County area, and one each in Athens and Lawrence counties. It is the only frog on Ohios endangered species list. In May, a new location in Meigs County was also confirmed by Professor Scott Moody from Ohio University who has been studying spadefoots for many years.
The statewide Frog and Toad Survey is supported by volunteers who are interested in Ohios native wildlife. Volunteers record frogs chorusing and document the numbers of individuals and species at stops along a permanent survey route. More than 100 persons participate in the survey in 53 of Ohios 88 counties.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Frog and Toad Survey should contact the Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE (800-945-3543). Over the past few years, the state wildlife biologists has been fortunate to locate other populations of spadefoot toads as a result of interested residents who have alerted the division about possible new sightings.
The survey is supported through a grant from the divisions Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Program. Funds for the program come from the sale of conservation license plates and donations from the public through the state tax checkoff program.