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 #1820916


PrinceSushi
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 Identifing Toads

I’ve decided to make this thread after observing this problem since I joined this forum last year. Topics generally get started requesting the identification of a toads, and due to misinformation or haste, the wrong identification is posted. This generally occurs with toads found from the western United States and Canada being identified as an exclusive eastern species.

Bufo Americanus is a common toad, but only to the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada, so there is no point in even considering it as a candidate if someone asks for the identification of a toad that was found in California, Washington, or other sates far west.

The most common western toad seen posted on these forum tend to belong to the boreal family (bufo boreas). Even so, there are also other toads in the area that can look similar to them.

Here are some common toads that get mistaken for each other. There are MANY more out there.
Bufo Americanus



Bufo Boreas Boreas



Bufo Boreas Halophilus



Bufo Cognatus



Bufo Fowleri




Can you see how similar they all are? Guess what it gets even more confusing when one species has regional colorations and a normal wide variety of colors. Even the sex of a toad can play into its color. So how are you going to figure out what they are? LOCATION! Location is probably the biggest key to identifying a toad.

For the people wishing to have a toad IDed.

Location found: (At least the states name! However, that may not be enough, so a state and county would yield more answers.)
Description: (What does it look like? What size is it from vent to snout? What color? And so on.)
Photos: ( If possible, provide a straight down head shot, abdomen shot, and full shot.)

For those wishing to ID.

If the location is not given, go to the profile and see if they have listed one. Assume it is correct and go from there. If you can only guess, make sure they know that you are giving them a guess and not an ID you are willing to back up 100%. Its wrong to say "Its an American!" when you really mean "I believe its an American, but I’m not sure."

BEFORE posting what you think the toad may or may not be go a quick google check. Try some thing like "Toads of ________" Most states have websites that list the species found in the state. So if someone comes on here asking for the identification of a toad found in San Diego California DO NOT tell them its an American Toad. That toad is not found in California, which makes you look like a person with little knowledge or thought and all the other walks away with is a false identification.

Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t fret when you make the wrong identification. As long as you looked into the species you assumed it was, and checked to make sure it matched the mystery toads info, you can’t be blamed at all.
08/05/08  07:17pm

 #1821649


Anilver
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1820916


 Identifing Toads

The scientific name of a fowlers toad is Bufo woodhouseii fowleri. but the rest are right.
08/06/08  01:14pm

 #1821665


Anilver
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1821649


 Identifing Toads

sorry if I sounded mean. and princesushi is right, before saying a toad is an american toad, make sure you ask the person where they found that toad.
heres the original names of the toads prince sushi listed.
Bufo Cognatus - great plains toad
Bufo Woodhousei fowleri - fowlers toad
Bufo Boreas Boreas - boreal toad
bufo americanus - american toad
bufo boreas halophilius - western toad
research these an you will get good information on identifying taods.
08/06/08  01:28pm

 #1821843


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1821665


 Identifing Toads

Oh no, it didn’t sound mean at all. Anyways, last I heard the Fowler’s Toad was no longer considered a subspecies of the Woodhouse toad, which is why I did not write Bufo Woodhousii Fowleri. If we really wanted to get technical we could also list the subgenus Anaxyrus, but bufo will provide the needed information people need. lol, just trying to keep it simple.
08/06/08  03:40pm

 #1821869


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1821665


 Identifing Toads

Also, "original" names is not a good term. They are common names which can get confusing since a single species can carry common names in the double digits. Always make an effort to remember the scientific names, even if you are unsure of the pronunciation or spelling. Its just a handy tip to prevent confusion.

The common names you have posted are correct though. However, B.B.Halophilus is more commonly referred to as the California Toad since its largest range is located through California. Even so, all toads belonging to Bufo Boreas are commonly referred to as Western Toads. See how confusing common names get?

Ah, I forgot to mention this in my very first post. Link That website contains a lot of mixed up information which may lead to confusion for people trying to seek information. That particular link leads to their American Toad web page, but the ranges they list belong to boreal toads! Its not the only mistake I’ve found on that website, so I encourage everyone to take information from that site lightly.



08/06/08  03:56pm

 #1821958


Anilver
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1821869


 Identifing Toads

The best way to Identify a toad is with a field guide, thats where I get all my herpatolgy information. common names can be confusing, but will eventually be useful in your life, if you were having a herpatology exam, knowing common names is important.
08/06/08  05:01pm

 #1821962


Anilver
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1821958


 Identifing Toads

fowlers toads are no longer an offbranch of a woodhouse toad? it’s sortof like pluto no longer being a planet but a "Dwarf planet"
08/06/08  05:05pm

 #1821964


Anilver
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1821962


 Identifing Toads

sorry if I used any bad terms today, like "offbranch" and "original names" I need to research my terms better, and sorry for so many posts.
08/06/08  05:07pm

 #1822767


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1821958


 Identifing Toads

I’ve had similar examines, but they were not exclusively for herpetology, and common names were scarcely used. Through an ecology class I took, I was told that common names are generally worthless. Through scientific names you can learn about a species, including its possible range; boreas for example. Scientific names are also universally accepted while common names are not.


For increasing your knowledge on terms: Link
08/07/08  11:37am

 #1822881


Anilver
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1822767


 Identifing Toads

I do agree, scientific names are better, but common names can be useful with children who want to learn, cmmon names are the best way to teach them and when they get older you can start teaching them scientific names, most young children don’t understand scientific names. you are right, scientific names tell alot about a toad, like if a toad has Bufo in its name it is a true toad.
08/07/08  01:18pm

 #1822944


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Anilver   In reference to Message Id: 1822881


 Identifing Toads

Oh yes, when teaching children and beginners common names are the best option. As for properly identifying unknown toads, scientific names are the way to go and should always be provided, even if they are ignored.



08/07/08  02:27pm

 #1848459


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1822944


 Identifing Toads

I’ve been gone for awhile, but now I am back. I can still help with identifications, but due to doubling my class load I may not be as responsive as I use to.
09/01/08  04:04am

 #1850266


Lennifer
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   Message To: PrinceSushi   In reference to Message Id: 1848459


 Identifing Toads

Good morning guys/gals!
I’m usually on the bearded dragon forum but came here because I have a couple toad questions & thought maybe some of you could help me out. Ok, so when I was a little girl, I use to always find toads at my grandmothers house & I loved them! lol! So, last night I was leaving my house to go out & all of a sudden...out jumps a cute little toad on my carport! It was so cute & I wanted to take him in & give him a home. I’m sure the neighbors thought I was crazy as I was on the ground trying to catch him while talking to him in my lil animal voice..."come here lil toadie!" lmao! Anyway, I didn’t take him in because I wasn’t sure what kind of toad he may be or how to properly care for him. From the pic’s posted above, I swear he looks like a Bufo Cognatus. Not sure though. He was so small & cute with them big eyes. I live in Maryland so is it possible that that is what kind of toad he was? If I find another one, can I keep him & be able to take care of him or is this not a good idea? Thanks so much for all you help:)

~Sandy
09/03/08  09:09am

 #1850293


Blue eyed cutie
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   Message To: Lennifer   In reference to Message Id: 1850266


 Identifing Toads


yes you could i sujest googling the word "bufo cognatus" just to make sure you have the right toad i didn’f seem to like is pic’s they dont look like what i have but when i searched them it was right.




Kae
09/03/08  10:05am

 #1851042


PrinceSushi
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   Message To: Lennifer   In reference to Message Id: 1850266


 Identifing Toads

If it had large splotches like cognatus, you most likely have bufo fowleri. Cognatus is not found in Maryland, but fowleri is.
09/04/08  03:27am


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