Houston Toad

Houston Toad

The Houston Toad is 2 to 3.5 inches long and similar in appearance  to Woodhouse’s Toad (Bufo woodhousei), but smaller.  General coloration varies from tan to brownish-black. The pale ventral surfaces often have small, dark spots.  Males have a dark throat, which appears bluish when distended. The Houston Toad is a terrestrial amphibian associated with deep sandy soils within the Post Oak Savannah vegetational area of east central Texas.  Since Houston Toads are poor burrowers, loose friable soils are required for burrowing.  The toads burrow into the sand for protection from cold weather in the winter (hibernation) and hot, dry conditions in the summer (aestivation).  Large areas of predominantly sandy soils greater than 40 inches deep are characteristic of habitat.  The vegetation type of currently known Houston Toad sites can typically be described as pine or oak woodland or savannah, with native bunchgrasses and forbs (flowering plants) present in open areas                                                                                    Read More>>>