Anaxyrus debilis (Girard, 1854)

Taxonomy and Common Name

This species is Anaxyrus debilis, first described by Girard in 1854, commonly called green toads.

Coloration

Green toads are typically bright to pale green in color, with black spotting.

Size

They are a small toad species; adult males measure 37–46 mm (1.5–1.8 in) in snout–vent length, while adult females measure 44–54 mm (1.7–2.1 in).

Distribution and Abundance

Green toads have a relatively widespread range and are at least locally common.

Habitat and Behavior

They are elusive, and are most often found during or after rainfall in semi-arid and dry habitats.

Breeding Season Trigger

Their breeding season runs from late March to August, triggered by summer rains.

Male Breeding Behavior

Males leave drier terrestrial habitats to move to aquatic breeding sites, where they form breeding choruses.

Female Breeding Behavior

Females are drawn to the chorusing males.

Breeding Aggregation Duration

Breeding aggregations of this species do not usually last long, typically only persisting for a few days.