Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
Silhouette: Michael Scroggie, from original photograph by Gary M. Stolz, USFWS (original photograph in public domain). · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAmphibia (Amphibians)
- OrderAnura (Frogs and Toads)
- FamilyBufonidae (True Toads)
- GenusAnaxyrus (North American Toads)
- SpeciesAnaxyrus boreas (Western Toad)
About the Western Toad
The western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) is a large toad species, between 5.6 and 13 cm (2.2 and 5.1 in) 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.
It has a white or cream dorsal stripe, and is dusky gray or greenish dorsally with skin glands concentrated within the dark blotches. Its parotoid glands are oval, widely separated, and larger than the upper eyelids. It has a mottled venter and horizontal pupils but lacks cranial crests. Compared to females, males have smoother skin, reduced dorsal blotching, and nuptial pads (thickened skin) on their forefeet during breeding season. In juveniles of this species, the dorsal stripe is weak or absent. Large young have prominent dorsal and ventral spotting and yellow feet.
There are two known subspecies of the western toad and the ranges of... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Western Toad in Rocky Mountain National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Rocky Mountain National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Western Toad in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Western Toad sighting in Rocky Mountain National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Western Toad in Rocky Mountain National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Western Toad in Rocky Mountain National Park in our monthly data.