A medium-sized warty toad with a pale dorsal stripe. Subspecies include the seriously endangered boreal toad of Rockies.

Native status: Native to western North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 5–13 cm
Weight30–150 g
LifespanWild 6–9 years
OrderAnura
FamilyBufonidae

§ Encyclopedia

The western toad is a large toad species, between 5.6 and 13 cm long, native to western North America. A. boreas is frequently encountered during the wet season on roads, or near water at other times. It can jump a considerable distance for a toad. Breeding occurs between March and July in mountainous areas, and as early as January in lower-elevation regions. The female lays up to 17,000 eggs stuck together in strings that adhere to vegetation and other objects along water edges.

Source: Wikipedia — Western toad Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Stocky brown to olive toad; pale dorsal stripe; warty skin; prominent parotoid glands.

Similar species. Other western toads. American Toad (eastern range).

Voice. Soft chirping calls.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, spiders.

Behavior. Widespread western toad. Population declines documented in several regions due to chytrid fungus.

§ Range

Western North America

§ Habitat

Diverse: forests, meadows, gardens, mountain habitats

§ Threats

Chytrid fungus, climate change, habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the western toad is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Don't move toads between watersheds. Support amphibian disease research.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • AmphibiaWeb
  • USGS PWRC
  • IUCN Red List 2014