Woodhouse's toad

by the National Park Service

Woodhouse's toad

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Woodhouse's Toad
NPS Randy Williams

Scientific name
Woodhouse's Toad: Anaxyrus woodhousii

Identification

• A medium-sized toad species, it can reach up to 5 inches (12.7cm) in length.
• Woodhouse's toads have rough, warty skin and large, prominent glads behind the eyes.
• They are usually light brown or yellowish brown, with dark blotches and a whitish stripe down the middle of the back
• Males are smaller than females, have smoother skin, and have a dark colored throat. The call is a drawn out "waaaaah," and is often compared to a sheep's bleating.

Habitat

• Woodhouse's toad is found throughout much of the central and western United States. They are found in most of Arizona except for western deserts and mountain areas.
• In the Grand Canyon, they are found on the South Rim and the Inner Canyon.
• They prefer areas near still water, including streams, ponds, wetlands, and along the Colorado River.

Behavior

• Woodhouse's toad is nocturnal. In areas of human development, they can be seen feeding on the insects attracted to lights.
• They eat a variety of insects and spiders, including ants, bees, scorpions, and insect larvae.
• While they prefer wetlands and pools, they can be found long distances from permanent bodies of water, especially during monsoon season in the Grand Canyon.
• While many amphibians in the Grand Canyon have been negatively affected by introduced fish, Woodhouse's toad is not palatable to some introduced fish. Woodhouse's toad seems to coexist well with these introduced species, expanding its range while other amphibian populations are declining.

More Information
More Information on Reptiles of Arizona

Last updated: April 28, 2016