Fowler's Toad Dramatically Plays Dead-Then Peeks to See if Woman Is Still Watching
Animals have all kinds of tricks for avoiding predators, but this Fowler's toad may deserve an Academy Award for Best Actor. Agnes Fusco was out and about in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when she spotted a Fowler's toad putting on quite the performance, and what happened next has the internet cracking up.
After dramatically flopping over and playing dead, the tiny amphibian seemed fully committed to the role. But eventually, curiosity got the better of him. Wanting to see if the coast was clear, the toad peeked up to check whether Agnes was still watching before deciding whether it was safe to continue on his way. The hilarious moment has viewers laughing out loud. You can check out the pictures here.
Agnes joked in the caption, "This Fowler's Toad playing dead and then looking up to see if I'm still watching it. LOL!" And these toads do indeed play dead when they're feeling threatened, and now we want to find one to see if they'd play dead and peek at us!
Related: Golden Retriever Is Adorably Terrified When She Finds a Frog on the Wall
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Do Fowler's Toads Really Play Dead to Protect Themselves?
Commenters got a kick out of the funny little toad's dramatic performance and had plenty to say about it. @dakota.duane summed up what many viewers were thinking the toad was probably saying: "U still there?"
@theordoric imagined the same scene sharing, "Hey, look, I'm dead, ok? Dead!" Another commenter joked, "You can take my word for it!"
Like this Fowler's toad, many species of frogs and toads use a defensive behavior known as thanatosis, or "playing dead," when they feel threatened. But it's far from their only survival strategy.
According to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Fowler's toads' most common predators include snakes, birds, and small mammals. Their earth-toned coloration helps them blend into their surroundings, while toxic skin secretions can irritate a predator's mouth and may even be poisonous if ingested. If those defenses fail, the toads have one last trick up their sleeve: putting on a convincing performance and playing dead...except when they peek!
Wondering how the Fowler's toad got its name? According to NatureWorks, the species was named after S.P. Fowler, a Massachusetts naturalist who first identified the toad in 1858.
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM.