Montana Field Guide

Woodhouse's Toad - Bufo woodhousii

Adults have dry skin with small warts, and are gray, brown, or olive green with paler mottling or spots. A prominent white or yellowish line runs down the center of the back (very young transformed toads typically lack the dorsal line and often have reddish brown warts). Adult body length is 2.5 to 5 inches. Parallel cranial crests are present between the eyes and the post-orbital crests connect them at a right angle behind the eyes; the post-orbital crests typically touch the parotoid glands. If a lump is present on the snout it does not extend back between the eyes. Adults have two black tubercles on each hind foot. Eggs and Tadpoles: Similar to the western toad.

The western toad lacks cranial crests. the great plains toad has large, white-bordered, dark dorsal blotches. the canadian toad has a lump between the eyes and frequently has the parotoid gland separate from the post-orbital crest, which is often broken. note: it is difficult to distinguish among the four montana toad species in recently transformed toadlets.

Montana Range

Nonmigratory.

Adults are partially terrestrial but usually found near water; they typically breed in permanent lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow streams, where they prefer shallow areas with mud bottoms. They are usually found in irrigated agricultural areas and floodplains. Breeding and egg laying is spread out over spring and early summer (FWP). Most records are from non-forested E MT, but some occur in transition veg. in P. pine and savannah forests (Black 1970). Found in floodplains and moist grass areas around water (Black 1970, Baxter and Stone 1980).

Known to collect under street-lights and feed on insects. Prey includes virtually every kind of terrestrial inverte- brate, and stomach contents can account for up to 16% of body weight. Food habits of early postmetamorphic stages in South Dakota discussed by Flowers and Graves (1995).

Probably most versatile and wide-ranging toads in regard to distribution (Black 1970). Temps of 20-30 C most favorable for nocturnal activity. During day remain under cover of rocks, or burrowed in soil or damp cover near water (Hammerson 1982). May live over 20 years in the wild (Engeman and Engeman 1996).

Breed late Apr-Jul dependent on spring/summer rains. Breed in streams, rivers, irrigation ditches, in shallow water w/o strong current (Black 1970).