This is a small toad, 2 to 3 inches snout-vent length (5),
which lives around bodies of fresh water and in adjacent uplands and is native
to Southern California and parts of Mexico (1). It is colored to blend into its
environment, often with spots, ranging from green or gray to light brown, with
a white v-shaped stripe crossing the top of the head between the eyes and a
buff-white belly that often does not have spots. It tends to hop instead of
walk or take long jumps (5).
Its breeding habitat is slow moving streams and shallow
pools. It deposits its egg masses in shallow sandy pools that are surrounded by
sand and gravel flood terraces usually (4). Conditions have to be optimal to
breed. This species has been known to naturally skip breeding in years when
conditions are not optimal such as during times of drought when slow moving
shallow water is not available (6). When it is not the breeding season, Arroyo
Toads are mainly terrestrial (4). They forage and need burrowing areas in the
upland areas around the streams. Also, male toads may migrate to other
populations through the upland areas (8).
Population sizes are
difficult to measure. Surveys of populations have historically been done using audiation. However, male toads only call during breeding season (8). Because of
the tendency for this species to not breed when conditions are not optimal,
timing for surveys have to match up to breeding seasons to detect the presence
of populations. This problem may be exasperated by less breeding due to loss of
habitat for breeding (6). (Video clip is of a male arroyo toad calling during breeding season).
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