Green Toad
The green toad spends most of its life underground and is generally scarce in Colorado.
About This Species
Upper side green with numerous small black spots and irregular lines; underside plain or with few small black marks on chest or throat; large and broad glandular lump (shaped like a kidney bean) low on shoulder, behind each eye; no prominent ridges next to eyes; head and body distinctly flattened, up to about 51 mm (2.0 inches) long. Mature male: Dark throat with loose skin during breeding season; expanded vocal sac evenly rounded.
More Information:
Range
Southeastern Colorado. Highly localized, generally scarce.
Habitat
Plains grassland, including canyon bottoms.
Reproduction
Breeding Call
A flat buzz lasting about 2–8 seconds.
Larvae
Stippled with black, with golden patches on upper side and tail muscles, relatively pale compared to most Bufo toad larvae; belly black and golden on the sides, with no black pigment on throat and midbelly regions; upper fin clear initially, later pigmented with dark dots or lines; lower fin with sparse dark pigment at end of development; usually 2 rows of tiny teeth on upper lip, 2 rows on lower lip; (unique among toads in Colorado); tooth row closest to jaw on upper lip with wide gap in middle; tooth rows on lower lip continuous and shorter than front row on upper lip; up to about 25 mm (1.0 inch) long.
Eggs
Deposited in small clusters in shallow water.
Life History
Spends most of life underground. Emerges to breed in temporary ponds and pools along intermittent streams after heavy rains in late spring or summer. Larvae metamorphose into small toads within a few weeks after egg laying.