Western Toad

Overview

Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas) is a toad native to Western North America. A warty toad of western North America with a light dorsal stripe, secretes mild bufotoxin.

Care level: Beginner. Toxicity: Low–Moderate.

History & Origin

The Bufonidae (True Toads) is naturally distributed across Western North America, where it occupies the typical habitats of its family. It has been kept by specialist and hobbyist keepers both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance & Size

Western Toad is a 5–12 cm toad.

Temperament

True toads are terrestrial, warty-skinned and generally calm and long-lived; most are hardy and tolerant of a wider range of conditions than frogs.

Care & Husbandry

A toad needs a terrestrial terrarium with a deep substrate for burrowing, a hide and a shallow water dish. Toads tolerate drier air than frogs but still need humidity; feed insects and supplement with calcium. They are generally robust and long-lived.

This species is generally rated Beginner in difficulty for keepers.

Health & Lifespan

In captivity Western Toad typically lives 10–15 years. Toads are long-lived, often 10–20 years or more. Skin warts are harmless to keepers, but watch for dehydration, parasites and abscesses; provide a varied insect diet.

Popularity & Recognition

True toads are ubiquitous worldwide; the cane toad is infamous as an invasive species, while many others are beloved, long-lived garden inhabitants.