Scientific name Woodhouse's Toad:Anaxyrus woodhousii
Identification
A medium-sized toad species, it can reach up to 5 inches (12.7cm) in length.
Woodhouse's toads have rough, warty skin and large, prominent glads behind the eyes.
They are usually light brown or yellowish brown, with dark blotches and a whitish stripe down the middle of the back
Males are smaller than females, have smoother skin, and have a dark colored throat.The call is a drawn out "waaaaah," and is often compared to a sheep's bleating.
Habitat
Woodhouse's toad is found throughout much of the central and western United States.They are found in most of Arizona except for western deserts and mountain areas.
In the Grand Canyon, they are found on the South Rim and the Inner Canyon.
They prefer areas near still water, including streams, ponds, wetlands, and along the Colorado River.
Behavior
Woodhouse's toad is nocturnal. In areas of human development, they can be seen feeding on the insects attracted to lights.
They eat a variety of insects and spiders, including ants, bees, scorpions, and insect larvae.
While they prefer wetlands and pools, they can be found long distances from permanent bodies of water, especially during monsoon season in the Grand Canyon.
While many amphibians in the Grand Canyon have been negatively affected by introduced fish, Woodhouse's toad is not palatable to some introduced fish.Woodhouse's toad seems to coexist well with these introduced species, expanding its range while other amphibian populations are declining.
