Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
![[Western Toad]](/images/92ds.jpg)
Description
Distribution Range
Detailed Map
Museum records taken from following institutions: CAS Herps, MVZ Herps.
Museum record sets fetched .
Found throughout Shasta County.
Typical Elevation
We do not yet have enough records from distinct localities to calculate typical elevation. We need 1 more distinct locality.
Additional Information
CaliforniaHerps.com
Additional information on this species in general can be found at http://www.californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/b.b.boreas.html.
Stebbins 2003 Field Guide
The Stebbins 2003 account for this species may be found on pg 208.
Nature Serve
NatureServe Report: Bufo boreas
Notes
The Western Toads in Shasta County receive gene flow from two subspecies, the California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus) from the south and the Boreal Toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) from the north. We probably have populations that are considered “pure” examples of each subspecies, and certainly have populations that are considered intergrades.
Deteterming which populations are “pure” and which populations are “intergrades” can be extremely difficult and is considered to be beyond the scope of this web site.
Western Toads are experiencing decline through much of their range. There are some creek systems near Redding where I believe they should be, yet they seem to be completely absent, even when searched under prime conditions that turn up toads in nearby systems.
I would like to start monitoring our known populations for the chytrid fungus, which seems to be playing a role in the species decline elsewhere.
Images
Unless otherwise noted, all images are of wild specimens in Shasta County.
Please be kind, do not hotlink images and do not use images without permission of the copyright owner.
![[Western Toad]](/images/38sm.jpg)
![[Western Toad]](/images/39sm.jpg)
![[Western Toad]](/images/40sm.jpg)
![[Western Toad]](/images/84sm.jpg)
©Michael A. Peters
Defensive mechanism - Western Toad filling itself with air to increase size. Redding, CA.
![[Western Toad]](/images/85sm.jpg)
![[Western Toad]](/images/91sm.jpg)
©Michael A. Peters
Numerous large adults were out on this night, celebrating the second major rain of the Fall season and the first major thunder storm. Sacramento River Trail. Redding, CA
![[Western Toad]](/images/92sm.jpg)
©Michael A. Peters
Young Western Toad, less than a year old. Notice the horizontal pupil, distinct parotoid gland, and dorsal stripe that easily distinguish this species from Spadefoot Toads. North Redding, CA
Habitat Shots
Unless otherwise noted, these habitat shots are from within Shasta County where this species is known to occur.
![[Western Toad habitat]](/images/69sm.jpg)
Similar Species
Western Spadefoot Toad
The Western Spadefoot Toad (Spea hammondii) has vertical pupils, much less pronounced parotoid glands, and lacks the white dorsal stripe.
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