This small, up to 3 inch (76 mm) long toad has round parotoid glands, a characteristic which distinguishes it from other toad species in the region. It tends to be whitish when found in association with limestone, light tan to red around volcanic rocks, to brown above, with scattered reddish tubercles (raised bumps); the underside is creamy white. Males have dark throats and single vocal sacs. The body and head are dorso- ventrally compressed, giving this toad a flattened appearance. A riparian inhabitant, this species is commonly encountered in and around rocky streams and arroyos. Its flattened body allows it to wedge into narrow rock crevices.
The red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus), formerly Bufo punctatus, is a toad in the family Bufonidae found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.[1][2][3]
It is a small toad species growing to 3.7 to 7.5 cm (1.5 to 3.0 in) in length. It has a flattened head and body, and a light grey, olive or reddish brown dorsum with reddish or orange skin glands. It has a whitish or buff venter with or without faint dark spotting, and round parotoid glands. The snout is pointed. The juvenile toad looks similar to the adult, but has more prominent ventral spotting and the undersides of its feet are yellow. The male red-spotted toad has a dusky throat and develops nuptial pads during the breeding season.[4]
It may hybridize with the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) in some locations, possibly with other toad species too.[3] It is docile and easily handled with little or no skin gland secretions.[4]
This toad is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, especially Baja California. It occurs primarily along rocky streams and riverbeds, often in arid or semi-arid regions. It is very localized on the coastal slope, but widespread in the deserts. In dry areas it needs seasonal pools or even temporary rain puddles to use for breeding. Eggs hatch in three days and the tadpole can transform in 6–8 weeks, taking advantage of the ephemeral water bodies. It spends dry periods in burrows or beneath rocks or moist plant matter, and becomes suddenly active during rainfall when multitudes of individuals emerge.[5]
The red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus), formerly Bufo punctatus, is a toad in the family Bufonidae found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
