Toads | Herps of Texas

Bufo americanus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo americanus

Common Name. American Toad

General information. Bufo americanus is nocturnal and feeds on insects and other invertebrates. During the cold winter, B. americanus survives by burrowing into the soil.

Protected status. The American Toad is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Parotoid glands usually separated from cranial crests, or connected by short spur Only one or two warts per dark spot. Short, sturdy legs and prominent eyes.

Coloration. Typically plain brown; may also be gray, olive, or red, with light-colored patches Ventral surface light colored with spots Middorsal stripe may or may not be present Adult males with dark throats.

General distribution. The range of Bufo americanus extends from southern portions of Canada, west to the eastern edge of the Dakotas and south into the northern reaches of all of the Gulf Coast states, except Florida.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the one subspecies of Bufo americanus, B. a. charlesmithi is found only in the extreme northeast corner of the state.

Habitat. The habitat of Bufo americanus varies widely from mountain wilderness to urban areas. Moist areas are required for shelter, and pools or small bodies of water are necessary for breeding.

Reproduction. Bufo americanus breeding occurs from March to July. It is typically the toad species to begin calling in the spring. The female lays strings of dark eggs in the water.

Size. Adult Bufo americanus typically reach lengths of 5-8 cm (2-3.5 in).

Calls.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Bufo cognatus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo cognatus

Common Name. Great Plains Toad

General information. Bufo cognatus is nocturnal and feeds on insects. When threatened, B. cognatus may camouflage itself by inflating its body and covering its head in the soil.

Protected status. The Great Plains Toad is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Broad head, short snout. Long hind legs with digging tubercle. Cranial crests at rear of head extend forward diagonally to meet at boss. Elongated parotoid glands behind cranial crests

Coloration. Gray, brown, or green, with large dark blotches bordered by lighter color.

General distribution. Bufo cognatus is found in parts of Canada and Montana through the Central Plains states, west into Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico, and south into Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Bufo cognatus is found in the western half of the state, including the Panhandle.

Habitat. Bufo cognatus can be seen in open grasslands, cultivated fields, brushy areas, irrigation ditches, streambeds, and flood plains; B. cognatus prefers a drier habitat than most toads, with loose soil for easy burrowing.

Reproduction. Breeding in Bufo cognatus occurs from April to September, typically during or after a rainfall.

Size. Bufo cognatus typically reaches an adult length of 4.5-9 cm (1.5-4.5 in).

Calls.

Bufo debilis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo debilis

Common Name. Green Toad

General information. Bufo debilis is nocturnal and rarely seen unless it is during or after heavy rains, hiding instead under rocks or vegetation. This species may flatten its body against the ground when threatened.

Protected status. The Green Toad is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Flat head and body Parotoid glands large, elliptical, and distinctly separated Cranial crests absent Numerous warts on dorsal surface.

Coloration. Two subspecies of Bufo debilis are present in Texas, differentiated by their color pattern: bright green vs. yellow-green. Throat black or dusky in males, light-colored in females.

General distribution. In North America, Bufo debilis is concentrated in the Southwest, primarily found in New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Bufo debilis is across much of the western two-thirds of the state.

Habitat. Bufo debilis is found in arid and semi-arid plains, as well as in open grassy plains.

Reproduction. Breeding in Bufo debilis takes place from March to September coinciding with seasonal heavy rains. Males call from under rocks and clumps of grass or while floating in the water with their heads above the surface. If conditions are not favorable, no breeding occurs.

Size. Bufo debilis is the smallest member of the genus Bufo in Texas, with adults only growing to 3-5.5 cm (1.5-2 in).

Calls.

Bufo fowleri

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo fowleri

Common Name. Fowler’s Toad

General information. Primarily nocturnal, Bufo fowleri is found in sandy areas near marshes, ditches, and ponds. It feeds on ants and beetles and may use mammal burrows to escape the heat of the day.

Protected status. The Fowler’s Toad is not a protected species in Texas.

Diagnostic features. a dark pectoral region breaking apart into dark spots to the belly cranial crests that touch the parotoid glands behind the eye three or more warts in each large spot on the dorsal surface no enlarged warts on the tibia a supratympanic ridge is present.

Coloration. General dorsal coloration may be uniform yellowish-brown, brown, greenish-brown, or nearly black with many having an overlaying of reddish wash Belly with dark stippling on pectoral region. May have narrow light mid-dorsal stripe and light lateral stripes.

General distribution. In North America, Bufo fowleri is found widely across the eastern half of the US and Canada. Texas populations of this species are along the western boundary of this distribution.

Texas distribution. Restricted to eastern quarter of the state.

Habitat. Bufo fowleri can be found along marshes and in deciduous woodlands as well as sandy areas near irrigation ditches and temporary rain pools.

Reproduction. Dependent on rains, reproduction takes place March through August (typically highest March-April). Eggs are laid in long strings in shallow water

Size. Adult Fowler’s Toads average 50-75 mm (2-3 in) in length.

Calls.

Bufo houstonensis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo houstonensis

Common Name. Houston Toad

General information. Strictly a nocturnal species, Bufo houstonensis feeds on insects and other invertebrates.

Protected status. The Houston Toad is considered an endangered species by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is fully protected by the state. Addtional protection has been afforded to this species as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers the Houston toad to be a federally endangered species.

Diagnostic features. Thickened cranial ridges

Coloration. Mottled black or brown on ground color of cream to purple-gray, with dark green patches sometimes present. Light middorsal stripe present Mottling on dorsum forms zig-zag pattern. Numerous dark spots on pale venter Males with dark colored throats.

General distribution. Bufo houstonensis is only known from a handful of counties in southeast Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Bufo houstonensis was found historically across less than a dozen counties in southeastern quarter of the state; today, B. houstonensis is found in less than six counties.

Habitat. Bufo houstonensis inhabits pine forests and prairies, restricted to areas with deep sandy soils.

Reproduction. Breeding in Bufo houstonensis takes place from February to June and may be repeated if conditions permit, once in early spring and again in early summer. Males call from grass-bordered pools.

Size. Adult Bufo houstonensis average 5-7 cm (2-2.5 in) in length.

Calls.

Bufo punctatus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo punctatus

Common Name. Red-spotted Toad

General information. Bufo punctatus is mainly nocturnal, however it may be diurnal during breeding. It feeds on insects.

Protected status. The Red-spotted Toad is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Distinct small and round parotoid glands. Overall flattened body Cranial crests slightly developed, or absent

Coloration. Gray, shades of brown, or pale olive, with reddish warts in dark blotches Dusky throat on males, light-colored throat on females.

General distribution. In North America, Bufo punctatus has a broad range across the southwestern U. S. and northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Bufo punctatus can be found throughout most of the western two-thirds of the state.

Habitat. Bufo punctatus is a desert resident preferring to live in rocky areas and open grasslands; B. punctatus typically remains near a water source such as a spring, stream, or cattle tank.

Reproduction. Breeding in Bufo punctatus occurs from April to September, coincident with seasonal rainfall. Males call from the edge of a water source.

Size. Bufo punctatus is one of the smaller members of the genus, measuring only 3.5-7.5 cm (1.5-3 in) as an adult.

Calls.

Bufo speciosus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo speciosus

Common Name. Texas Toad

General information. Bufo speciosus is nocturnal and burrows in the loose soil. It feeds on insects and other invertebrates.

Protected status. The Texas Toad is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Round body, covered with small warts Two black tubercles on hind feet; inner tubercle sickle-shaped. Cranial crests indistinct and widely separated, or absent. Oval parotoid glands.

Coloration. Gray marked with brown or yellow-green spots Middorsal stripe absent.

General distribution. In North America, Bufo speciosus is found in Texas and northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Bufo speciosus is seen throughout most of the state, except the western Panhandle and the wetter portions of east Texas.

Habitat. Bufo speciosus can be found in a wide variety of habitats: grasslands and open woodlands, mesquite-savanna associations, and areas with sandy soil.

Reproduction. Breeding in Bufo speciosus occurs from April to September, after rains.

Size. As an adult, Bufo speciosus can grow to 5-8.5 cm (2-3.5 in) in length.

Calls.

Bufo woodhousii

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Bufo woodhousii

Common Name. Woodhouse’s Toad

General information. Bufo woodhousii is nocturnal and feeds on insects near light sources. During the day it shelters in burrows or among vegetation.

Protected status. Woodhouse’s Toad is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Cranial crests prominent. Parotoid glands elongate.

Coloration. Three subspecies in Texas, separated on color patterns that range from yellow-brown or gray to yellow, green-brown, or green. Belly color may be pale or yellow, with or without dark markings on chest and sides. Light middorsal stripe present. Dark dorsal spots with one to several warts Males with dark pigmented throats, females with unpigmented throats.

General distribution. In North America, the range of Bufo woodhousii is from the East Coast, west as far as Nevada and then south into northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Bufo woodhousii is found throughout most of the the state, excluding far eastern Texas and the western half of south Texas.

Habitat. Bufo woodhousii prefers sandy areas near marshes, river bottoms, desert streams, canyons, irrigated fields, in addition to well-irrigated suburban backyard gardens.

Reproduction. Breeding in Bufo woodhousii occurs from March to August. Males call from pools of water.

Size. Adult Bufo woodhousii can range in size from 5-12 cm (2-5 in).

Calls.