Baird's Spotted Toad

The red-spotted toad, a captivating member of the Bufonidae family, inhabits the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. These small amphibians, measuring between 3.7 to 7.5 cm, are easily identifiable by their flattened heads and bodies, reddish or olive-brown backs, and pale bellies. Male red-spotted toads are particularly notable; they exhibit dusky throats and develop specialized pads on their thumbs, known as nuptial pads, during the breeding season. Intriguingly, they sometimes hybridize with western toads.

These toads thrive in the rocky streams and riverbeds of arid or semi-arid regions, particularly in Baja California. They prefer environments that provide seasonal pools or temporary rain puddles for breeding. Their breeding process is remarkably efficient: eggs hatch within just three days, and tadpoles metamorphose into toads within 6-8 weeks. When the weather becomes dry, red-spotted toads ingeniously seek refuge in burrows or under rocks. However, as soon as it rains, they make a dramatic reappearance, with many toads emerging simultaneously.