# 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! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Red-spotted Toad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bufo.punctatus.web.jpg&width=800) Photo: http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/bupu.htm Originally from en.wikipedia ; description page is/was here ., Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bufo.punctatus.web.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Bufonidae - **Genus:** Anaxyrus ## 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 - **Toxic Skin Shield:** Red-spotted Toads have special glands that release a mild toxin, which helps them deter hungry predators. - **Desert Drinker:** Red-spotted Toads can absorb water directly through their skin, allowing them to hydrate without needing to drink. - **Burrowing Escape:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-terrestrial-garter-snake) (*Thamnophis elegans*) — Garter snakes are known predators of various amphibians. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching a toad, as their skin can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-spotted Toad? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-spotted Toad? 3.7-8.7 cm ### How much does Red-spotted Toad weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Red-spotted Toad live? 3-10 years ### How fast can Red-spotted Toad move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Red-spotted Toad eat? Red-spotted Toads are tiny hunters, feasting on small insects and other invertebrates. ### Where is Red-spotted Toad usually found? Wetlands ### How does Red-spotted Toad hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-national-monument-visitor-center-complex) — Colorado, US · National Park - [Sabino Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabino-canyon) — Arizona, US · Natural Landmark - [DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/degrazia-gallery-in-the-sun-historic-district) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Hood County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hood-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saddlehorn-utility-area-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Bandelier National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bandelier-national-monument) — New Mexico, US · National Park [View all places to see Red-spotted Toad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-spotted-toad) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Red-spotted Toad: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-spotted-toad)