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Frogs and Toads
Southwestern Toad
Bufo
microscaphus
Arizona Toad
Description2-3" (5.1-7.7 cm). Medium-sized plump
toad, olive to brown to pink, with or without dark spots. Usually
has light stripe or patch on head and back. Parotoid glands oval,
widely separated; forward ends light-colored. No cranial crests.
Male throat not dark.
Endangered StatusThe Arroyo Toad, a subspecies
of the Southwestern Toad, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It
is classified as endangered in California. The range of the Arroyo
Toad in California is now about one-quarter the size it once was.
The species has lost much of its habitat (slow-moving gravelly or
sandy-bottom streams) to encroaching development, agriculture,
water-management, and other practices. The introduction of alien
species, such as bullfrogs and fish, which prey on Arroyo Toads, as
well as exotic plants that cause changes to the nature of the
habitat, has also taken a toll. Among the measures being taken to
help this species survive are curtailing development projects during
the breeding season, reducing the impact such projects have on the
toads’ habitat, relocating toads found in compromised areas, and
protecting the habitat from pollution and human
disturbance.
 WarningToads have enlarged glands (called the
paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These
glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth
of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing
nausea, irregular heart beat, and, in extreme cases, death. Toads
pose a danger to pets, which may pounce on and bite them. Humans
should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to
avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.
SubspeciesArizona (B. m. microsaphus), with dark
spots on back; scattered populations along the headwaters and
tributaries of the Colorado River from sw. Utah, s. Nevada, c.
Arizona, and sw. New Mexico, into Mexico.
Arroyo (B. m.
californicus), with fewer spots on back, back warty; sw. California
into nw. Baja California.
VoiceA pleasing musical trill; ends abruptly
after 10 seconds.
BreedingMarch to July; not dependent on
rainfall. Egg strings are laid on bottom of pools.
HabitatLoose gravelly areas of streams and
arroyos in drier portion of range; often on the sandy banks of quiet
water in other areas.
RangeCoastal s. California and n. Baja
California. Scattered localities in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New
Mexico.
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