Kevin E. Bonine

    The red-spotted toad is olive to grayish-brown with red or dark-tipped warts on its back.  This  species has round parotoid glands located on the back of the head behind the eyes.  Total length ranges between 3.8 - 6.4 cm (1.5 - 2.5 in).  The young have numerous red- to orange-tipped warts and yellow on the undersides of their feet.  They are common in desert canyons or in semi-arid regions with springs and rain pools.  The red-spotted toad prefers rocky bottom habitat where it can find shelter in the crevices of the rocks.  This toad also burrows.  They are nocturnal, but may be diurnal during the breeding season.  The red-spotted toads breed from March to September during or after rains in springs, rain pools, and temporary pools of intermittent streams.  Eggs are laid singly, in short strings with sticky jelly around, sometimes as loose, flat clusters on the bottom of ponds.  The eggs hatch in three days and the tadpoles transform in about 40 - 60 days.

Call:  A clear, high-pitched trill or scream, lasting 4 - 10 seconds.  Usually calls from water while floating near shore.

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