Boreal toad

The boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas) is a subspecies of the western toad (Bufo boreas). They are commonly found in the Southern Rocky Mountains and in recent, their population has been on the decline due to an emerging amphibian disease, chytrid fungus. The boreal toad is currently listed as an endangered species by Colorado and New Mexico. It is known in Colorado as the only alpine species of toad. Boreal toads lack a cranial crest and can be distinguished from the Western toad by looking at its underbelly, which is covered by a considerable amount of dark blotches. Adult males on average are between 2.4–3.1 inches and females are 2.9–3.9 inches Their coloration can range from brown to green and they have a distinct white middorsal stripe. Both sexes have dry, warty skin and oval parotoid glands. Male boreal toads have no vocal sac, and therefore have no mating call. The boreal toad is currently found in Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Utah and northern New Mexico. It prefers high-altitude wet habitats (8,000–12,000 ft in elevation) such as lakes, marshes, ponds, bogs and quiet shallow water