Western Toad
Anaxyrus boreas
![[Western Toad]](/images/92ds.jpg)
Description
Distribution Range
General range map taken from CWHR.
Museum records taken from following institutions: CAS Herps, MVZ Herps, NMNH VZHerps, LSUMZ Herps.
Found throughout Shasta County.
Typical Elevation
Based on records in our database, in Shasta County the Western Toad is typically found at all elevations up to 2186m (7170ft). Maximum elevation we have a record for is 2519m (8261ft).
Taxonomy
The Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas) was originally described in 1852 by Baird and Girard as Bufo boreas. See Amphibian Species of the World.
There are two subspecies that are likely found in Shasta County, as well as intergrades between them. Precise respective ranges of these subspecies and the intergrade zone is not known to me at this time. It would be a fun project to try and identify them.
The Boreal Toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) is definitely present and ranges in the north part of the county.
The California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus) may be present in the southern portion of the county. Intergrade populations that exhibit physical characteristics of both subspecies would likely be present between them.
The Anaxyrus boreas halophilus subspecies was originally described in 1853 by Baird and Girard as Bufo halophila. See Amphibian Species of the World.
Pronunciation
The assumed IPA pronunciation of this species: /ɑ nɑ ˈksɪ rʌs/ /boʊr ˈi ʌs/
Taxonomic Etymology
Anaxyrus is from the Greek άναξ and means sovereign or king.
boreas - The Greek god Βορέας (Boréas) was the god of the north wind and the bringer of winter (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemoi). boreas may refer to the northern range and collection of type specimen in the northwest (Beltz 2006) but just like the Greek god of mythology brought winter, this species often comes out en mass during the fall rains that bring winter.
halophilus is a combination of two Greek words. Άλας ([H]alas) means salt or sea. φίλος (Filos) means friend. halophilus is thus “friend of the sea”, describing the somewhat coastal distribution of the subspecies.
Taxonomy Notes
After the original description, Bufo halophilus was reclassified as a subspecies of Bufo boreas (Camp 1917 pg 115).
In 2006, the genus Anaxyrus was resurrected (Frost et al. 2006 pg. 10) and this species along with its new world relatives were placed in it, though not without some controversy (Pauly, Hillis and Cannatella 2009 pg. 123).
Some current literature still refers to this species as Bufo boreas and due to the controversy associated with the change, much literature will undoubtedly continue to do so.
The taxonomy of Anaxyrus boreas is not yet fully settled. It may in fact be a cryptic species complex containing several distinct species. More research is needed.
Additional Information
Notes
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. This is probably more important with our high elevation populations.
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/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/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/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 the Western Spadefoot. North Redding, CA
![[Western Toad]](/images/117sm.jpg)
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
The Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii) has vertical pupils, much less pronounced parotoid glands, and lacks the white dorsal stripe.
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