Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification
Guide
Woodhouse's Toad, Bufo woodhousii
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| The Woodhouse's Toad is a fairly large toad attaining
lengths greater than 4 inches. Above is a female and a calling male from
Theodore Roosevelt N.P. in North Dakota. They usually have a light line
running middorsally down their back, but Woodhouse's Toad really doesn't
have any distinguishing markings. So if you catch a toad that may be a
Woodhouse's toad the best way to proceed is to first determine what it
can't be. |
| In the east Woodhouse's Toad could be confused with the American
Toad, but the belly of Woodhouse's Toad is usually without dark spots
as in the photo to the left. The cranial crests also touch the parotid
glands as shown in the diagram. Fowler's Toad
is also very similar, but it usually has three or more warts in its largest
spots. Males have throats that are darker than the rest of the belly;
the individual to the left is a female. |
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Like most toads, they are most active at night and will be able to be
found in the evenings towards the end of sunset. They will be most active
when it is misty or rainy and during the breeding period which is from
March - July, depending on locality, and usually during or after rains.
Often times you can find them around buildings foraging under lights that
attract insects. They frequent a great variety of habitats, but seem to
prefer sandy areas. There is much variablity in pattern as the photos
below show. |
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| There are a few different subspecies of the Woodhouse's
Toad; the Southwestern Woodhouse's Toad, B. w. australis;
the Rocky Mountain or Western Woodhouse's Toad, B. w. woodhousii;
and the East Texas Toad, B. w. velatus. All of the above
specimens are of B. w. woodhousii. |
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