It starts with the sharp shrill call of the male American Toad (Bufo americanus) partially submerged in water. Ideally it should be the water of a fish-less vernal pool providing a safe haven for the fertilized eggs of the attracted female.
In order to fertilize the female toad's eggs the much smaller male climbs on the back of the female and grasps her tightly with his front legs in what is called "amplexus'. As the female releases her eggs into the water the male fertilizes the eggs as they come out of her body. The eggs look like a single or double string of black beads held together by clear jelly. This male and female toad are partially submerged in a vernal pool on the berm of Fox Island Park lake road. The egg string is laying across the left rear leg of the female.
This single string of eggs was about 6 feet long. The eggs will hatch in 3-12 days depending on the temperature of the water.
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