American Toad (Bufo americanus) - males competing for amplexus

Description:

Amplexus (the amphibian body-lock in preparation for laying and fertilizing eggs) is a complicated business. Female American Toads need to be large and tough to resist being overwhelmed by male attention. Males often have to compete for opportunities, like this lighter colored male, which struggled for some time (without success) to dislodge the smaller male beneath. -- Farm Pond, Allegany County, NY (USA)