Bufo punctatus
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| Bufo punctatus |
The Red-spotted toad (Bufo punctatus) is a small toad species (about 3.7 to 7.5 cm long). It has a flattened head and body, and a light grey, olive or reddish brown dorsum with reddish or orange skin glands. It has a whitish or buff venter with or without faint dark spotting, and round parotoid glands. Its snout is pointed.
Juveniles look similar to adults, but have more prominent ventral spotting and the undersides of their feet are yellow. Male red-spotted toads have dusky throat, and develop nuptial pads during breeding season.
B. punctatus is a species that occurs primarily along rocky streams and riverbeds, often in arid or semi-arid regions. It is very localized on the coastal slope, but widespread on the deserts. It may hybridize with the Western toad (Bufo boreas) in some locations, although this needs confirmation. It is docile and easily handled with little or no skin gland secretions.
[edit] References
- Hammerson & Santos-Barrera (2004). Bufo punctatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- This article is based on a description from "A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Coastal Southern California", Robert N. Fisher and Ted J. Case, USGS, http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/index.htm.
