Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
Conservation Concern 3
Western Toads have severely declined in the southern half of their range since the late 1970s—the centre of the world’s distribution of Western Toads has shifted north from the U.S. to British Columbia. The cause for the decline is uncertain but a number of factors including diseases are thought to play a part. In Yukon, they are con ned to the southeastern corner of the territory, although their range in northwestern British Columbia reaches Atlin and parts of White and Chilkat pass regions.
Description 3
Because it is the only toad in our region it is easy to identify by its general ‘wartiness’. This is a chunky amphibian that will waddle / walk away when disturbed. It has a wide range of colours; green, brown, or grey; generally splotchy; often reddish warts with dark outlines; a light stripe down its back; and puffy ‘parotid’ glands on the sides of its head. Newly hatched tadpoles and toadlets are black.
Typical Habitat 3
Congregate and breed in shallow silty or sandy ponds, springs, lake margins, and streamside flood pools. Summer habitats include shrubby, forested areas; wet shrublands; and meadows. Over-winter in areas of high snow cover by burrowing underground to a layer deep enough (up to 1.3 m) to prevent freezing, and moist enough to prevent their skin from getting too dry. They are nocturnal and are most often seen in the mornings or evenings.
Potential Threats 3
Loss of breeding habitat. Drought. Fluctuating winter temperatures, freezing rain, low snow cover. Disease (e.g. ranaviruses and chytrid fungus). Fish stocking.
Did You Know? 3
Western Toads return to the same breeding sites year after year. They are one of the few amphibians that live in alpine areas. They can travel up to 7 km in less than a day, and prefer to walk or crawl rather than hop. They are nocturnal and difficult to find outside the spring breeding season.
Sources and Credits
- (c) J. N. Stuart, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/21786539@N03/4831258337
- (c) brewbooks, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/brewbooks/421050989/
- (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Animal | Amphibian |
|---|---|
| Color | brown, green |
