The Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis) might be small, but it’s got a big role in amphibian conservation. This toad is one of the rarest amphibians in the United States and is critically endangered. Found only in a small pocket of Texas, it’s a symbol of both biodiversity and the challenges faced by species with shrinking habitats.
If you’re lucky enough to hear one calling during the spring breeding season, you’re witnessing something truly special.
Size & Physical Appearance
Houston toads are medium-sized amphibians, usually measuring 2 to 3.5 inches in length. They have a somewhat squat, rounded body and rough, warty skin that helps distinguish them from frogs.
Their coloration can vary, but they are generally grayish brown or purplish brown with patterns of darker spots and irregular blotches. A faint light stripe often runs down the middle of their back. The underside is lighter — sometimes almost whitish — and generally unmarked.
One feature that stands out is the presence of small dark spots peppered across the skin and the cranial crests on their heads. Males and females look pretty similar, though males are slightly smaller and have a dark throat that becomes noticeable during breeding season when they’re calling.
Habitat and Range
This species is a true Texan. Today, the Houston toad is found only in a handful of counties in central Texas, including Bastrop County and surrounding areas.
It prefers sandy soils and mixed oak-pine forests, which make it easier for the toads to burrow underground to escape heat and predators. These areas also support seasonal or semi-permanent breeding ponds — an essential part of their lifecycle.
They are generally found at low elevations, often below 600 feet. Most of their historic range has been lost to development, land conversion, and drought, which is why conservation efforts are ongoing.
Diet
Houston toads are insectivores. In the wild, they eat a variety of small invertebrates such as:
- Beetles
- Ants
- Spiders
- Crickets
- Other slow-moving insects
They hunt mostly at night, using their sticky tongues to snag prey. Their diet is not unusual for toads, but what’s notable is how sensitive they are to pesticides and habitat contamination, which can severely limit food sources.
Lifespan
In the wild, a Houston toad typically lives for about 2 to 6 years, depending on environmental conditions and predation. In captivity — such as in conservation breeding programs — they may live a bit longer, though exact data is limited.
Identification Tips
Houston toads can be confused with a few other Texas toads, especially the Gulf Coast toad and Texas toad (Anaxyrus speciosus). Here are a few ways to tell them apart:
- Smaller and slighter than Gulf Coast toads, which have more prominent ridges and brighter belly coloration.
- Lacks the large, bright parotoid glands seen in some similar species.
- Look for the light mid-dorsal stripe and subtle purplish tone.
- Call is distinct: a high-pitched trill lasting several seconds, most often heard in late winter to early spring near breeding ponds.
If you’re trying to identify one in the field, keep in mind that Houston toads are nocturnal and secretive. They spend a lot of time underground and are most active after rainfall in the spring.
Fun Fact
Here’s something wild: the Houston toad was the first amphibian listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1970 — and it remains one of the most intensively managed amphibians in North America today. Conservation groups in Texas and beyond have undertaken extensive habitat restoration, captive breeding, and monitoring efforts to keep this species from disappearing entirely.
Why It Matters
The Houston toad is more than just a rare amphibian. It’s a living part of Texas’s natural heritage and a powerful example of why habitat protection matters. If you live in Texas or are just visiting the area, supporting local conservation groups or learning more about native wildlife can help keep species like this around for future generations.
Stay curious — every toad has a story, and this one’s worth telling.