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(Bufo debilis)
| Identification: Upper side green with
numerous small black spots and irregular lines; underside plain or with
few small black marks on chest or throat; large and broad glandular lump
(shaped like a kidney bean) low on shoulder, behind each eye; no prominent
ridges next to eyes; head and body distinctly flattened, up to about 51 mm
(2.0 inches) long.
Mature male:
Dark throat with loose skin during breeding season; expanded vocal sac evenly
rounded. |
 |
Breeding call : A flat buzz lasting about 2–8 seconds.
Larvae: Stippled with black, with golden patches on upper side and
tail muscles, relatively pale compared to most Bufo toad larvae;
belly black and golden on the sides, with no black pigment on throat and
midbelly regions; upper fin clear initially, later pigmented with dark dots or
lines; lower fin with sparse dark pigment at end of development; usually 2 rows
of tiny teeth on upper lip, 2 rows on lower lip; (unique among toads in
Colorado); tooth row closest to jaw on upper lip with wide gap in middle; tooth
rows on lower lip continuous and shorter than front row on upper lip; up to
about 25 mm (1.0 inch) long.
Eggs: Deposited in small clusters in shallow
water.
Colorado Distribution:
Southeastern Colorado. Highly
localized, generally scarce.
Habitat: Plains grassland, including canyon
bottoms.
Life
History: Spends most of life underground.
Emerges to breed in temporary ponds and pools along intermittent streams after
heavy rains in late spring or summer. Larvae metamorphose into small toads
within a few weeks after egg laying.