American toads emerge from their overwintering burrows in late April and soon return to a pond, river, or lake to breed. By mid-May toads are breeding in earnest. They congregate in large groups and as many as 60 toads at one time can be seen floating near the edge of the pond or lake. The male toads are aggressive and will attempt to amplex or mate even with other male toads or frogs that are nearby. Toads tend to call during the evening and at night, but will call during rainy or cloudy days as well. Their call is an extended high-pitched trill of a single note. Females lay their eggs in long gelatinous strings which can be found floating in the water. They can lay between 4,000 and 20,000 eggs in a breeding season.