Common Name: Arroya Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus californicus
Family: Bufonidae – True Toad Family
Locations: Mexico and the United States
US Location: California
Size: 3 inches (7.6 cm)
The Arroya Toad is only found in southern California and Baja California in Mexico. It is listed as a federally endangered species by the United States federal government. It has been estimated that the toad has lost 75% of its original range due to humans. Much of their habitat has been ruined due to damming of creeks and off roading activities. Invasive species introduced into to the toad’s environment such as American Bull Frog and trouts have feasted on them. These threats must be handled to save the species.
The Arroya Toad has a typical breeding behavior for a toad. Breeding takes place from March to the end of July. The male toads release high calls to attract the females from shallow water bodies. Eventually, the toads meet up and the male will grasp the female in amplexus. The female releases over 4000 eggs and the male will fertilize them. It takes over two months for the tadpoles to develop into toads. Neither parent provides any care for their offspring.
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