Facts about Houston Toads
The Houston toad was discovered in the late 1940s. It was named in 1953. This toad is critically endangered. Official estimates are that just 3,000 - 4,000 adult Houston toads are left in the world.[2008] Their skin secretes chemicals that are distasteful, and sometimes poisonous, to predators. Adult male Houston toad grows to 2-3.5 in. Females are larger than males. Their clutch size is of 500 to 6000 eggs. Male Houston toads reach sexual maturity at 1 year of age while females at 1 to 2 years of age. Although generally brown and speckled, their color can range from light brown to purplish gray, sometimes with green patches. The Hustoun toads typically live 2-3 years. These toads are nocturnal. Houston toads live for 2 to 3 years. Males have a dark throat, which appears bluish when distended. Their undersides often have small, dark spots. The largest population of Houston toads exists in Bastrop county. Its scientific name is Bufo houstonensis. Their eggs trake 7 days to hatch. Their call which is a high clear trill lasts for 14 seconds on the average. The Hustoun toads feed on insects and small invertebrates. Their eggs hatch within seven days. The Houston toad lives exclusively in pine or mixed hardwood and oak forests. The houston toads move by making short hops. Their main predators are spiders, snakes, turtles, owls, raccoons, and other frogs. These toads have developed coloration and rough skin to camouflage themselves. |
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