(Woodhouse's Toad)
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Bufo woodhousii
(Woodhouse's Toad) |
| COMMON NAME: Woodhouse
Toad
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bufo woodhousii STATUS: Federal- Species of concern (USFWS); Idaho- Not ranks, but recommended as Species of Special Concern RANKING: Global- Secure; Idaho- Vulnerable FOREST PRESENT: Humboldt-Toiyabe
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DESCRIPTION: The Woodhouse's Toad
can grow up to 5 inches in length. It can be identified by
the white, middorsal stripe and the prominent cranial crests. A boss
maybe present between the two crests. The partoid glands are elongated
and divergent. Two tubercles are present on the underside of each
hind foot. The dorsal coloration of Woodhouse's Toad is quite variable
but normally has dark blotches. The belly is lighter color and may
have dark specks. Males have a dark throat. Males have a dark
throat.
LIFE HISTORY: Woodhouse's Toad
is one of North America's most common toads and they inhabits a wide variety
of habitats, ranging from grasslands to agricultural areas and can even
be found in residential areas. It prefers deep, sandy soils.
In the Intermountain Region, it can be found throughout most of Utah and
Western Idaho at elevations up to 8,500 feet. This toad is predominantly
nocturnal and burrows underground or hides under rocks and plants when
inactive. It is active during the wet and dry weather.
BREEDING: The Woodhouse Toad breeds in ponds, lakes, reservoirs, flooded areas and other bodies of water lacking a strong current. The eggs are pigmented and laid in two long intertwined strands of up to 25,000 eggs and attached to submerged vegetation or debris.
DIET: Tadpoles eat organic debris,
algae, suspended matter and plant tissue. Adult toads eat a variety
of small terrestrial insects, especially ants and beetles.
VOICE: The call is unique and sounds like a baby's scream. It is an explosive and nasal "w-a-a-a-a", lasting from 1-3 1/2 seconds. Call has also been likened to a sick calf with a cold. The Woodhouse's toad calls from dusk to dawn. For recorded call, CLICK HERE. If you would like a short DESCRIPTION WITH SOUND, then here is the place for you.
USDA,
Forest Service
Federal
Building
324
25th Street
Ogden,
Utah 84401