Bufo houstonensis - Earth.com
bufo houstonensis
12-22-2016

Bufo houstonensis

Bufo houstonensis NatureServe Explorer Species Reports — NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

ITIS Reports — Bufo houstonensis ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

FWS Digital Media Library — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.

The male Houston toad grows to 2–3.5 inches when mature with the female being larger and bulkier. Although generally brown and speckled, their color can range from black to purplish gray, sometimes with green patches. The toads typically live 2–3 years and create burrows for protection from the cold in the winter and the hot, dry conditions of the summer. They are nocturnal and feed on insects and small invertebrates.

During February and March, the male emits a high clear trill by distending a vocal sac on its throat, in hopes of attracting a mate. A female will choose a male based on certain characteristics of his call. Small isolated pools and ponds are the toad’s main breeding ground. A female toad will lay several thousand eggs in long single-egg strands that are fertilized externally by the male as they are laid. The eggs hatch within seven days and tadpoles take between 15–100 days to turn into little toads. The toadlets then leave the breeding pond and begin to forage for prey such as antsbeetles and moths.

They move by making short hops. Since they cannot usually outrun their predators such as snakesturtles, large birds, raccoons, and other frogs, the toads have developed coloration and rough skin to camouflage themselves. Their skin also secretes chemicals that are distasteful, and sometimes poisonous, to predators. In addition to protecting the Houston toad from being eaten, some of these chemicals have proven useful medicines to treat heart and nervous disorders in humans.

Detailed information
Full Name: Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis)
Where found: Wherever found
Critical Habitat:N/A
Species Group:Amphibians
Current listing status
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
Endangered 10/13/1970 Southwest Region (Region 2) Wherever found
  • States/US Territories in which the Houston toad, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: Texas
  • US Counties in which the Houston toad, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: View All
Recovery
To learn more about critical habitat please see http://ecos.fws.gov/crithab
Date
Title
Plan Action Status
Plan Status
09/17/1984 Houston Toad Recovery Plan View Implementation Progress Final
Date
Title
Plan Action Status
Plan Status
09/17/1984 Houston Toad Recovery Plan View Implementation Progress Final
Date
Citation Page
Title
Document Type
04/21/2006 71 FR 20714 20716 5-Year Review of 25 Southwestern Species
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
Date
Title
11/28/2011 Houston Toad 5-year Review
11/28/2011 Houston Toad 5-year Review
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