Common Name: Amargosa Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus nelsoni
Family: Bufonidae – True Toad family
Locations: United States – Nevada
Size: 3.5 – 5.0 inches (90 – 127 mm)
The Amargosa Toad lives in the Oasis Valley along the Amargosa River, hence the common name of Amargosa. Its species epithet – nelsoni is in honor of Edward William Nelson (May 8, 1855 – May 19, 1934), an American naturalist.
The breeding season for the toads goes from February to April. Interesting fact about the Amargosa Toad is that the males do not call to attract females.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list assess the Amargosa Toad as Critically Endangered but it is not on the United States Endangered Species List. The toad lives in one, small area of Nevada that is declining in quality.
Locals are working to help restore the populations of the toads to avoid it being listed as an endangered species. The cause of the declines of the toads are due to habitat loss and the introduction of invasive species such as the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeianus) and crayfish.
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