12 Toads Found in Arizona: Facts and Habitats

You can find toads on every continent globally, except Antarctica. In North America, there are 16 species of toads found in Arizona. Most belong to the family Bufonidae, commonly known as true toads, while others are part of the families Microhylidae, Rhinophrynidae, or Scaphiopodidae.

Toads generally inhabit open landscapes, humid environments, and even suburban areas. They rely on bodies of water for breeding and egg-laying, making Arizona’s 128 lakes and five major rivers critical habitats for these amphibians.

Although toads are often associated with frogs, they differ in several key ways, including skin texture, vocalizations, and the presence of warts. Arizona’s toads are particularly notable for their ability to survive farther from water sources, thanks to their specialized adaptations. This article provides an overview of 12 fascinating toad species found in Arizona.

Say hello to Arizona’s 12 toad species

As one of the few U.S. states with true desert ecosystems, Arizona offers a unique blend of arid and semi-arid conditions that support many of its toad species. However, some toads on our list rely on wetter habitats, including rivers, streams, ponds, and temporary rain pools. Let’s explore the toads found in Arizona’s diverse environments.

1. Woodhouse’s Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus woodhousii

The Woodhouse’s Toad is grayish-brown or yellowish-brown with small dark spots, and its belly is pale and typically unmarked. These toads can grow up to 5 inches in length and have long, prominent parotoid glands behind their eyes. They are one of the most common toads in Arizona, found across the state in various habitats.

2. Great Plains Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus cognatus

The Great Plains Toad is widespread in Arizona, particularly in grasslands and areas with loose soil, which they use for burrowing. These toads have a mix of brown, gray, and green coloration with dark blotches. Their heads feature ridges, and they are covered in warts. Females are larger than males, reaching up to 4 inches in length.

3. Red-Spotted Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus punctatus

The Red-Spotted Toad is easily recognizable by its light gray, reddish-brown, or olive body adorned with distinctive red or orange warts. This small toad thrives in rocky canyons and streams across most of Arizona. They often burrow under rocks and are adapted to arid conditions.

4. Great Plains Narrow-Mouthed Toad

Scientific name: Gastrophryne olivacea

The Great Plains Narrow-Mouthed Toad, also called the Western Narrow-Mouthed Toad, is a tiny species, only about 1.5 inches in length. Their coloration ranges from gray-brown to olive green, often with black blotches on their backs. Their call is a high-pitched pealing sound similar to a buzzing bee. These elusive toads are found in limited areas of Arizona, and not much is known about their exact distribution.

5. Couch’s Spadefoot Toad

Scientific name: Scaphiopus couchii

Couch’s Spadefoot Toad is notable for its smooth skin, which is yellowish, greenish, or olive with brown or black spots. These toads have vertical pupils and a sickle-shaped spade on their hind feet for burrowing. Found in southern Arizona, they breed explosively after rainfall when temporary pools form.

6. New Mexico Spadefoot Toad

Scientific name: Spea multiplicata

The New Mexico Spadefoot Toad has a round, compact body in shades of brown, green, and gray, with black and orange speckles on its back. Its belly is pale or white. Like other spadefoots, they have specialized hind leg spades for digging. They grow up to 2.5 inches long and are found in several southwestern states, including Arizona, where they are active after heavy rains.7. Sonoran Desert Toad

7. Sonoran Desert Toad

Scientific name: Incilius alvarius

The Sonoran Desert Toad is one of the largest toads in North America, reaching over 7 inches in length. Its smooth olive-green skin and massive size make it somewhat similar in appearance to bullfrogs. Found primarily in the southern third of Arizona, it prefers semi-desert habitats. Breeding occurs on a single night each year after a heavy rainfall, making this species vulnerable due to its limited reproduction opportunities.

8. Great Basin Spadefoot Toad

Scientific name: Spea intermontana

The Great Basin Spadefoot spends most of its life underground, using its wedge-shaped spade-like claws for digging. Unlike most amphibians, it thrives in dry environments and is found in northwestern Arizona, near the Utah and Nevada borders. Breeding happens after heavy rains, utilizing temporary water sources to support its eggs and tadpoles.

9. Sonoran Green Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus retiformis

Native to the Southwest Sonoran Desert, the Sonoran Green Toad is inactive for most of the year, only becoming active during the rainy months of July and August. It is also known as the Reticulated Toad due to the brown or black net-like pattern on its bright green or yellowish-green back. This small, elusive species remains poorly understood due to its secretive nature.

10. Western Green Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus debilis insidior

The Western Green Toad is a subspecies of the North American Green Toad. Bright or pale green with black spots, it can be found as far west as southeastern Arizona. Active during the breeding season from March to August, it inhabits deserts and grasslands, relying on temporary pools for reproduction.

11. Arizona Toad

Scientific name: Anaxyrus microscaphus

The Arizona Toad, found in the southwestern United States, is listed as endangered in several states, including Arizona. This species begins breeding as early as February in warmer areas but starts later at higher elevations. Its colors range from gray and brown to tan and beige, often with reddish-brown warts. Small populations are occasionally spotted in areas like Zion National Park.

12. Plains Spadefoot Toad

Scientific name: Spea bombifrons

With a range extending from Canada to Mexico, the Plains Spadefoot is found in northeastern and parts of southeastern Arizona. It has a gray-brown or tan body and red spots, and its appearance is often mistaken for a frog due to its smoother skin. Growing up to 2.5 inches long, it is easy to identify by its unique shape and coloration.