Western Toad

Range

The Western toad’s range is throughout much of western North America, from the Pacific Northwest, western Canada and into the southeastern portion of Alaska to Southern California.

Habitats

The Western Toad is found a wide variety of habitats including meadows, aspen groves and riparian forests, shrubby woodlands, and other deciduous forest habitats close to large bodies of water for breeding. Females in this species stay faithful to their breeding site for their entire lives which threatens this species as more of their natural habitat is being transformed by humans.

Identification

This species is easily recognized by its creamy-white dorsal stripe that runs down the center of its back and its dry, bumpy skin and horizontal pupils. This species usually has a pale belly with mottled black spots on it. It is a short, strong species of Toad with adults typically measuring 5,5 to 14,5 cm in length.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians