Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Arroyo toad (Bufo californicus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

The Arroyo Toad is a relatively small (2-3 inches snout-vent length) frog. Its coloration ranges from olive green or gray to light brown. It can be distinguished from other toads by non-paired, symmetrical dorsal blotches, bicolored parotid glands that are dark posteriorly and light anteriorly as well as a light spot on the sacral humps. A prominent white "v-shaped" stripe crosses the top of the head between the eyes. It lacks a middorsal stripe. The belly is buff-white and often lacks spots. Locomotion is generally in the form of hopping as opposed to walking or taking large jumps.

Lead Region:  California/Nevada Region (Region 8)
Date Listed: Dec 16, 1994

  • States/US Territories in which the Arroyo toad is known to occur:  California
  • US Counties in which the Arroyo toad is known to occur:  View All
  • USFWS Refuges in which the Arroyo toad is known to occur:  SAN DIEGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
  • Countries in which the the Arroyo toad is known to occur:  Mexico

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 14 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
10/13/2009 74 FR 52611 52664 Revised Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus):Proposed rule.
03/05/2008 73 FR 11945 11950 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California and Nevada; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California, Nevada and Southern Oregon
04/13/2005 70 FR 19561 19633 ETWP; Final Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad (Bufo californicus); Final Rule
03/14/2005 70 FR 12496 12498 Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program, San Diego, CA
02/04/2005 70 FR 7459 7467 Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad (Bufo californicus; revisions to proposed critical habitat, reopening of public comment period, and notice of availability of draft economic analysis.

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
07/24/1999 Arroyo Southwestern Toad (Bufo microscaphus californicus) Recovery Plan View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 2 of 2 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
03/05/2008 73 FR 11945 11950 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California and Nevada; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California, Nevada and Southern Oregon
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
    • 05/06/1998 63 FR 25062 25063 Availability of Draft Recovery Plan for the Arroyo Southwestern Toad for Review and Comment
  • Notice Draft Recovery Plan Availability
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    08/03/2009 Arroyo Toad completed 5-Yr Review

    » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 5 of 5 )
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    10/13/2009 74 FR 52611 52664 Revised Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus):Proposed rule. Proposed Rule Not Required
    04/13/2005 70 FR 19561 19633 ETWP; Final Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad (Bufo californicus); Final Rule Final Rule Active
    03/07/2001 66 FR 13656 13671 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Final Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad; Correction Final Rule Not Required
    02/07/2001 66 FR 9413 9474 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants Final Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Toad Final Rule Not Required
    06/08/2000 65 FR 36511 36548 Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arroyo Southwestern Toad; Proposed Rule Proposed Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 5 of 11 : view all)
    HCP Plan Summaries
    Coachella Valley Multi-Species HCP
    MHCP, City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
    MSCP, City of Chula Vista Subarea Plan
    MSCP, City of La Mesa Subarea Plan
    MSCP, City of Poway Subarea Plan

    » Petitions

    Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 1 of 1 )
    Date Citation Page Title Finding
    08/03/1993 58 FR 41231 41237 ETWP; Proposed Endangered Status for the Arroyo Southwestern Toad
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted
  • Proposed Listing, Endangered

    • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: February 9, 2010