A few amphibians...
Moderator: Scott Waters
- ratsnakehaven
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A few amphibians...
The ones on top are the female Couches; bottom left is the male Couches, Scaphiopus couchii; and bottom right is a Great Plains toad, Anaxyrus cognatus...
Notice the difference in pupil shape on the two species.
A Couches spadefoot profile...
Be aware that Couches spadefoots have toxic skin secretions that can be very irritating to some people. Make sure you wash your hands after handling and don't put your fingers in your eyes, mouth, or anywhere sensitive afterwards.
Pic showing the spades on the feet...
Notice the difference in pupil shape on the two species.
A Couches spadefoot profile...
Be aware that Couches spadefoots have toxic skin secretions that can be very irritating to some people. Make sure you wash your hands after handling and don't put your fingers in your eyes, mouth, or anywhere sensitive afterwards.
Pic showing the spades on the feet...
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Although I had to work at these, I finally concluded, with some help from a couple friends, that these are Plains spadefoot toads, Spea bombifrons. ..
This photo shows a dark spadefoot with a fairly distinct pattern on the back, especially in the older ones.
Closer look at the pattern...
A profile view...
The "boss" bt. the eyes helps i.d. this toad. Also, they seem to have quite a pugdy nose. Another characteristic, learned from others, is that they do not smell like peanuts. It seems the closely related Mexican spadefoot, Spea multiplicata does smell like peanuts (thanks, Ben).
A view of their habitat with a few cattle in the background...
The Plains spadefoot is a grassland species which shares habitat with cattle and you can see what they can do to the habitat.
This photo shows a dark spadefoot with a fairly distinct pattern on the back, especially in the older ones.
Closer look at the pattern...
A profile view...
The "boss" bt. the eyes helps i.d. this toad. Also, they seem to have quite a pugdy nose. Another characteristic, learned from others, is that they do not smell like peanuts. It seems the closely related Mexican spadefoot, Spea multiplicata does smell like peanuts (thanks, Ben).
A view of their habitat with a few cattle in the background...
The Plains spadefoot is a grassland species which shares habitat with cattle and you can see what they can do to the habitat.
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
A Great Plains toad, Anaxyrus cognatus....
Feel free to add images of your interesting amphibians to this strand, especially ones that aren't represented, yet.
Feel free to add images of your interesting amphibians to this strand, especially ones that aren't represented, yet.
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Hyla arenicolor, canyon treefrog, in a mountain stream...
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Our largest anuran, Mr. Bigfoot, the Sonoran Desert toad (i.e. Colorado River toad), Ollotis alvaria, peacefully waiting for anything that will fit in its mouth to come along....
I'll leave off here, until I can find some better pics of some of our other amphibians. Meanwhile, feel free to share your favorite images of amphibs you've seen this season...
Terry
I'll leave off here, until I can find some better pics of some of our other amphibians. Meanwhile, feel free to share your favorite images of amphibs you've seen this season...
Terry
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: A few amphibians...
Hey Terry,
Here are a few photos to add to your string of some recent AZ finds, and a few from a couple of previous seasons
Great Plains Toad, Anaxyrus cognatus
Western Green Toad, Anaxyrus debilis isidior
Chiricahua Leopard Frog, Lithobates chiricahuensis
Lowland Leopard Frog, Lithobates yavapaiensis
Sonoran Green Toad, Anaxyrus retiformis
Here are a few photos to add to your string of some recent AZ finds, and a few from a couple of previous seasons
Great Plains Toad, Anaxyrus cognatus
Western Green Toad, Anaxyrus debilis isidior
Chiricahua Leopard Frog, Lithobates chiricahuensis
Lowland Leopard Frog, Lithobates yavapaiensis
Sonoran Green Toad, Anaxyrus retiformis
- ThamnElegans24
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- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Wow, thanks guys. I was hoping we'd get some of those, like green toads, tiger sally, and others that I don't have. Let's keep it going and see if we can get all of AZ's amphibs on here. I'll post some more when I get some more time, but only have 2 or 3 more that haven't been posted. Later, I'll start a strand for snakes, lizards, etc, and see what happens.
Best....TC
Best....TC
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: A few amphibians...
Hey Terry -
I have a few more fairly nice photos of some other AZ species if you don't mind more photos from years past. I'd be happy to post them.
That Tiger Sally is a great find. Something I don't expect to see on my occasional AZ visits. I'm a little confused about the entire Arizona Tiger Salamander thing. I was under the impression that the Barred Tiger, A. m. mavortium, was an import, introduced by the sport fishing industry as bass bait in the form of larvae, "water dogs" if you will. Are all 3 forms, A. m. mavortium, A. m. nebulosum and A. m. stebbinsi native to AZ?
I have a few more fairly nice photos of some other AZ species if you don't mind more photos from years past. I'd be happy to post them.
That Tiger Sally is a great find. Something I don't expect to see on my occasional AZ visits. I'm a little confused about the entire Arizona Tiger Salamander thing. I was under the impression that the Barred Tiger, A. m. mavortium, was an import, introduced by the sport fishing industry as bass bait in the form of larvae, "water dogs" if you will. Are all 3 forms, A. m. mavortium, A. m. nebulosum and A. m. stebbinsi native to AZ?
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Steve, I was going for amphibs this year at first, but if we could get all the amphib species on this strand, I wouldn't mind combining different years. As for the sallys, I've never found one in AZ, and don't really know much about them.
Thanks for the green toad info, 'cus I missed i.d.'ed the one I recently found...
For the heck of it....Western green toad, Anaxyrus debilis insidior.
One of the reasons I do posts like this is for educational reasons, both for me and for others. This helps us make accurate entries to the database.
Big parotid glands on these little guys.
Cheers...
Thanks for the green toad info, 'cus I missed i.d.'ed the one I recently found...
For the heck of it....Western green toad, Anaxyrus debilis insidior.
One of the reasons I do posts like this is for educational reasons, both for me and for others. This helps us make accurate entries to the database.
Big parotid glands on these little guys.
Cheers...
- Steve Bledsoe
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- ThamnElegans24
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- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Great stuff guys.
Steve, I was hoping someone would post red-spotted toads. My current pics are awful. I'll have to dig some out from last year I think.
And that was a nice series on the Couches. The eye is fully dilated there.
Ben, very nice series. That Arizona toad would be a lifer for me. I'm going to have to get up north one of these days and see some of those amphibs. I haven't seen any of the sallys, yet, either. Awesome Woodhouse's...I have a hard time finding those. Happy for the bullfrog pic too, mine are once again awful. Finally, that narrow-mouthed pic is nice. Haven't seen them, yet, this year.
Thanks for all the help guys. I'll see if I can dig up some more of mine a little later. ..
Steve, I was hoping someone would post red-spotted toads. My current pics are awful. I'll have to dig some out from last year I think.
And that was a nice series on the Couches. The eye is fully dilated there.
Ben, very nice series. That Arizona toad would be a lifer for me. I'm going to have to get up north one of these days and see some of those amphibs. I haven't seen any of the sallys, yet, either. Awesome Woodhouse's...I have a hard time finding those. Happy for the bullfrog pic too, mine are once again awful. Finally, that narrow-mouthed pic is nice. Haven't seen them, yet, this year.
Thanks for all the help guys. I'll see if I can dig up some more of mine a little later. ..
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
July, 2013, down near the Mexican border, found the Mexican spadefoots and red-spotted toads breeding in the same stream...
Recently the Mexican spadefoot has been divided into two subspecies: the Chihuahuan Desert spadefoot, Spea multiplicata stagnalis, and the mountain spadefoot, S. m. mulitplicata. I believe our spadefoot in AZ, is the Chihuahuan Desert variety...
First pic shows the pattern, which is somewhat similar to the Plains spadefoot pattern.
Another of the first Mexican spadefoot...
Another Mexican spadefoot showing some variation in color/pattern...
These are both obvious males as they were calling and their front legs are readied for amplexus.
Recently the Mexican spadefoot has been divided into two subspecies: the Chihuahuan Desert spadefoot, Spea multiplicata stagnalis, and the mountain spadefoot, S. m. mulitplicata. I believe our spadefoot in AZ, is the Chihuahuan Desert variety...
First pic shows the pattern, which is somewhat similar to the Plains spadefoot pattern.
Another of the first Mexican spadefoot...
Another Mexican spadefoot showing some variation in color/pattern...
These are both obvious males as they were calling and their front legs are readied for amplexus.
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
The Mexican spadefoots were pretty much side by side with the red-spotted toads. This series is of the red-spotted, Anaxyrus punctatus. Here's a female waiting...
....and a male accomodating...
The male again...
...and with his partner...
Finally, a few more males in breeding condition...
Looking forward to any special photos other folks have...
....and a male accomodating...
The male again...
...and with his partner...
Finally, a few more males in breeding condition...
Looking forward to any special photos other folks have...
Re: A few amphibians...
Hey Terry, hope you don't mind a Utah guy throwing one in that you don't have up yet.
Here's a Baja California Treefrog from 2013 (Mohave Co.)
Pacific Tree Frog by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Rye
Here's a Baja California Treefrog from 2013 (Mohave Co.)
Pacific Tree Frog by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Rye
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Hey, Rye, thanks a bunch. That's one we hardly ever see here in AZ. Feel free to post on any of the amphibs you see here.
TC
TC
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: A few amphibians...
Rye - Excellent photo of the Baja Treefrog
Terry - I know of a little lake, not too far from where you live, that's insanely overpopulated with bullfrogs. We should organize a NAHERP Frog-Leg BBQ one weekend!
On an even more serious note ..... I was thinking it may not be a bad idea to post the exact location of the lake here on the forum so anyone wanting to remove some of the tasty little bastards could do so. It's not like I'd be divulging any secret herp spots as the lake is open to the public and well used by local residents. Anyway, I'm sure the bullfrogs have already eaten all of the native amphibian species there. We'd be doing the leopard frogs and salamanders (and the AZGFD) a huge favor!
Terry - I know of a little lake, not too far from where you live, that's insanely overpopulated with bullfrogs. We should organize a NAHERP Frog-Leg BBQ one weekend!
On an even more serious note ..... I was thinking it may not be a bad idea to post the exact location of the lake here on the forum so anyone wanting to remove some of the tasty little bastards could do so. It's not like I'd be divulging any secret herp spots as the lake is open to the public and well used by local residents. Anyway, I'm sure the bullfrogs have already eaten all of the native amphibian species there. We'd be doing the leopard frogs and salamanders (and the AZGFD) a huge favor!
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
The Great Basin spadefoot, Spea intermontana, is also found up in Mojave, Co, AZ. Anyone have pics of those?
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Steve Bledsoe wrote:Terry - I know of a little lake, not too far from where you live, that's insanely overpopulated with bullfrogs. We should organize a NAHERP Frog-Leg BBQ one weekend!
On an even more serious note ..... I was thinking it may not be a bad idea to post the exact location of the lake here on the forum so anyone wanting to remove some of the tasty little bastards could do so. It's not like I'd be divulging any secret herp spots as the lake is open to the public and well used by local residents. Anyway, I'm sure the bullfrogs have already eaten all of the native amphibian species there. We'd be doing the leopard frogs and salamanders (and the AZGFD) a huge favor!
Steve - not sure which lake you're speaking of, so shoot me an email with the name ([email protected]), or don't worry if it's Pena Blanca, because we've mentioned that one before. Certainly the native amphibs would benefit by a reduction in bullfrogs there, as well as the crayfish, which are even more of a concern, I believe. I don't think there's any restriction on take of bullfrogs and crayfish, which are not native, and are in the streams emptying into the lake, but would like confirmation on that. Many of the herps in and around the lake are "listed," or have concerns by herpers, as well as AZGFD.
Personally, I already have taken some of the crayfish and bullfrogs from the area, and I might add that they are very tasty. I think it's a wonderful idea and would be willing to host a barbeque and pool party at my house. Are you thinking this year still, or of waiting until next season where we could get there with more rain and water in the streams?
Here's one of the protected species from the area...
Chiricahua leopard frog, Lithobates chiricahuensis
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Bullfrogs can be very common in ponds and dominate over any creature they can fit into their mouths. This is one of many bullfrogs from a pond on a golf course in Green Valley, AZ. Unfortunately, I don't get very good pics from my current camera at night and from a distance....
This is a private course and I don't think they'd like it if someone started taking frogs from their ponds. It would be nice though if those ponds could be used for native frogs and toads.
This is a private course and I don't think they'd like it if someone started taking frogs from their ponds. It would be nice though if those ponds could be used for native frogs and toads.
Re: A few amphibians...
Here's a couple red-spotted toads and a woodhouse from the same area as the treefrog
Red-spotted Toad-Anaxyrus punctatus by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Red-spotted Toad-Anaxyrus punctatus by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Woodhouse Toad by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Red-spotted Toad-Anaxyrus punctatus by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Red-spotted Toad-Anaxyrus punctatus by Rye Jones, on Flickr
Woodhouse Toad by Rye Jones, on Flickr
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Great looking photos, Rye. That Woodhouse's looks a little different from ours in the southeast.
Re: A few amphibians...
I've seen a few in that area that seem to have a lot more yellow in them than what I'm used to seeing too. They're actually really pretty, in my opinion. At least for a big ugly toad that isratsnakehaven wrote:Great looking photos, Rye. That Woodhouse's looks a little different from ours in the southeast.
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Tim Cota gave me permission to post this image of a spadefoot from northcentral AZ.
Seems to be either a Plains or a Great Basin spadefoot. Would be nice if it were a Great Basin, Spea intermontana, as we don't have one of those on this strand, yet, but it's sort of between the ranges of the two. It could even be an intergrade. Any comments welcome, as usual. Would like to have a positive i.d. one day...
Seems to be either a Plains or a Great Basin spadefoot. Would be nice if it were a Great Basin, Spea intermontana, as we don't have one of those on this strand, yet, but it's sort of between the ranges of the two. It could even be an intergrade. Any comments welcome, as usual. Would like to have a positive i.d. one day...
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
What an outstanding post! Made my night, man. AZ has some fantastic amphibs.
reako45
reako45
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: A few amphibians...
Thanks. Love amphibian season...
Re: A few amphibians...
Nice post! I'll keep checking until someone posts a Pseudoeurycea bellii.
- Jeroen Speybroeck
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Re: A few amphibians...
jonathan wrote:Nice post! I'll keep checking until someone posts a Pseudoeurycea bellii.