The Boreal Toad in Colorado

The boreal toad in Colorado Description: The boreal toad is Colorado's only alpine species of toad. Females generally grow to 11 centimeters and males to 9 centimeters. Both sexes appear warty and usually have a light stripe along the middle of the back. Juveniles may have red warts. Bofo boreas boreas The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday that it is withdrawing the southern Rocky Mountain population of the boreal toad from the list of species being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Agency officials said the Colorado toads share genetic similarities with boreal toads in Utah, Idaho and northern Wyoming. Therefore, the Colorado toads do not qualify as a "distinct population segment" eligible for Endangered Species Act protection, they say. The boreal toad is Colorado's only alpine toad. Its numbers have plummeted since the 1970s, chiefly due to the chytrid fungus, a microorganism that infects skin cells. There are 38 known boreal toad populations remaining in Colorado. Those groups have 70 known breeding sites in 14 Colorado counties. The boreal toad was listed as a state endangered species by Colorado wildlife officials in 1993. Habitat: Distribution of the boreal toad is restricted to areas with suitable breeding habitat in spruce-fir forests and alpine meadows. Breeding habitat includes lakes, marshes, ponds and bogs with sunny exposures and quiet, shallow water. inches cm 1 male 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 inches cm 1 female 10 ii 12 13 14 15 Diet: Boreal toads feed on a wide range of invertebrates and insects, including flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles and moths. Reproduction: Toads breed in still waters in marshy areas from May to late July. Unlike many species of toad, the boreal does not have a loud mating call. Males will emit a soft chirp, and sometimes call in groups. Females typically lay 3,0000 to 8,000 eggs and larvae development takes two months or more. Range: The species occurs throughout most of western North America, from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California, Utah and northern New Mexico. In Colorado, the boreal toad is restricted to the southern part of the Rocky Mountains and is found at elevations between 7,000 and 12,000 feet. Eggs Tadpole Potential range: 7,000 to 12,000 feet. Site of observation: 1991 - 2001 O Fort Collins Steamboat Springs O Denver O Colorado Springs Grand Junction A mature boreal toad shown actual size. I Glands called parotids behind eyes that contain poison Pueblo I Warty skin on chubby body I Hind legs shorter than frog's legs COLORADO Durango MICHAEL HALL/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS Copyright (C) Michael Hall, submitted 09 December 2008 Source: Colorado Division of Wildlife 3 CGSociety.org