It’s an Ugly Toad …or is it?

Arizona Outdoorsman / AZOD

Linda Dightmon

It started last Saturday with an e-mail from my Aunt Nanette. There was a toad sitting on their front porch and she took a picture of it and sent it to me with the question. “What kind of toad is this?”

Not being any kind of a toad expert, I answered her with, “An ugly one.” I also suggested that she give it a kiss and see if her prince charming would appear. She declined. Then I started to get curious and sent the picture to Robin Llewellyn, an expert associated with the Tucson Herpetological Society.

She needed more information so I got these pictures and this description from Nanette.  “We think he changes color.  It depends on what he is on. I think the true color is cream. He is about as big as a ping-pong ball.”

That is all that Robin needed. Turned out our “toad” was not a toad at all. Toads have two large nodes on the back of the head (paratoid glands.) From this angle we can see that there are none and the toe pads are visible too. The other image where it appears to be darker was taken at dusk and our “toad” had changed colors.

Here is Robin’s reply:

Thank you for more info, the pictures were ok, but the description was better. My original thoughts were correct. He is a tree frog because of the toe pads. That is what makes him be able to climb and hang on to things. Now if we were to assume he is a native species, I would have to say he is a canyon tree frog. The Internet would be a great place to get more info on this species. Or look in the THS Web page for info and more pictures.

Here is the description in my field guide: 1-1/4 to 2-1/4 inches long; plump and warty with a toad-like appearance. Olive to brownish-gray with darker blotches present in most populations. Dark-edged light spot beneath the eye. Under surfaces of thigh yellow to orange. Large toe pads; webbing does not extend to tip of fifth hind foot. Found in arid areas close to rocky washes, streams and permanent pools. Primarily nocturnal often seen along watercourses. During the day it can be found hiding among rocks or in stony crevices near streams, camouflaged by its color.

So does this describe the frog? If it does, then there are probably more within the area. I always feel lucky when I have a snake or frog livin around me!

Robin

Many thanks to the Tucson Herpetological Society for helping us laymen get a better understanding of the outdoor world around us.

Contact www.arts.arizona.edu/herp/ if you have questions about our native frogs, toads, snakes or lizards.