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Project Noah Nature School
Bufo boreas boreas
Adults are around 4 inches while juveniles are around an inch. Adults have a white or cream dorsal stripe, and is dusky gray or greenish dorsally with skin glands concentrated within the dark blotches. Its parotoid glands are oval, widely separated, and larger than the upper eyelids. It has a mottled venter and horizontal pupils but lacks cranial crests. Compared to females, males have smoother skin, reduced dorsal blotching, and nuptial pads (thickened skin) on their forefeet during breeding season. In juveniles of this species, the dorsal stripe is weak or absent. Large young have prominent dorsal and ventral spotting and yellow/ orange feet.
Mountainous areas of northwestern North America, ranging from sea level to elevations near or above regional treeline, or 10,000 feet in elevation. In Colorado it can be from about 7,000 feet to 11,860 feet . In the mountains of Colorado, the largest toad populations usually occur from about 9,500 feet to 11,000 feet elevation.
Juvenile found near a small mountain stream above 10,000 ft. Maybe higher.
Spotted on Jun 27, 2009
Submitted on Dec 20, 2011
12 Comments
I have only had the privilege of finding a handful of endangered or threatened species, and the feeling you great is just incredible! So glad you found this guy and were able to help the biologists learn more about them :)
Yes, this was the first frog I ever saw in Colorado. I literally jumped over a creek and knocked down a guy to catch him! I like my frogs! lol!
...and Matt, just to follow up, I did contact NHP and they knew of a population of these toads just north of where this guy was found. He said my information was very valuable and that this summer they will survey the area I found this toad in, as it may be a new area. Very cool! Thank you again for all your help!
Wow, what a great, rare find. I've never seen one of these before. Nice spotting Emily!
Wow Matt thank you so much! I contacted the National Heritage Program last night! I will also contact someone at the link above!
It looks like your observation was on the Arapaho National Forest, Clear Creek Ranger District. Here is their website with contact info:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinte...
If you call the Ranger District just mention that you would like to report a wildlife sighting to the wildlife bio. It would be interesting to know if you found an unknown/undocumented site or if it is one the Forest Service and CO Natural Heritage Program know about.
Thanks Matt! I would love more information on who to contact about this sighting. I will look up the Colorado National Heritage program! I spotted this guy over two years ago but still, someone might be interested!
...and thanks Karen, I totally will!
You could also add this to the Amphibians of the World mission!
Nice find! If you were on National Forest, the wildlife biologist for that Forest would be interested in your find. The Colorado Natural Heritage program would be interested in it as well - they monitor boreal toad populations/breeding sites in the state.
Thanks! I took this picture almost two years ago. This frog is a threaten specie in Colorado. Back then I had wished that there was somewhere or someone I could let know that I found this little guy! Now I have found the format!
Welcome on board
Thank you! This site is pretty cool!
very cute!
Welcome to project Noah Emily!