Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus)

Common Name: Arroyo Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus californicus
Family: Bufonidae – True Toad Family
Locations: Mexico and the United States
US Location: California
Size: 2 – 3 inches (5.1 – 7.6 cm)

The Arroyo 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. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Arroyo Toad as Endangered with Extinction. 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 trout have feasted on them. These threats must be handled to save the species.

The Arroyo Toad has a typical breeding behavior for a toad. The breeding season takes place from March to the end of July. The male toads release high calls from shallow water bodies to attract the female toads . Eventually, the toads meet up and the male toad will grasp the female toad from behind in amplexus. The female toad 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.