Red-spotted Toad

Anaxyrus punctatus

The Red-spotted Toad is a small, bumpy toad with bright red spots. They love to hop around in wet areas and are great at blending in with their surroundings!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Red-spotted Toad is a small amphibian with a flat head and large, prominent eyes. Its warty skin is typically gray, tan, or olive, adorned with striking brick-red or orange spots. These unique markings make it easily distinguishable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyBufonidaeGenusAnaxyrus

Red-spotted Toad

Interesting facts

Male toads sing a high, musical trill for up to 10 seconds!

Their tadpoles can speed up growth if their temporary pond shrinks!

These desert dwellers have eyes with unique horizontal pupils!

They are one of the few amphibians that thrive in dry, rocky deserts!

Special abilities

Red-spotted Toads have special glands that release a mild toxin, which helps them deter hungry predators.

Red-spotted Toads can absorb water directly through their skin, allowing them to hydrate without needing to drink.

Red-spotted Toads can dig into loose soil using their hind legs, helping them find cool shelters and escape danger.

Measurements & details

Length: 3.7-8.7 cm
Weight: 0.01-0.03 kg
Lifespan: 3-10 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 1000-5000
Metamorphosis: 30-45 days

Diet & Feeding

Red-spotted Toads are tiny hunters, feasting on small insects and other invertebrates.

Age differences: Tadpoles eat algae; adults hunt insects.

Primary Foods

ants
beetles
spiders
mites
crickets

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

Thamnophis elegans

Garter snakes are known predators of various amphibians.

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Owls are nocturnal predators that hunt many small animals.

hunts

Red Harvester Ant

Pogonomyrmex barbatus

Ants are a common and abundant food source for toads.

hunts

Desert Stink Beetle

Eleodes obscura

Various beetles are a frequent part of the toad's diet.

Traits

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.