Types of Toads in Texas: Species Guide
Texas has far more than two kinds of toad. True toads include the Houston toad, Texas toad, red-spotted toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Gulf Coast toad and the introduced cane toad. Spadefoots such as Couch’s spadefoot and the Great Plains narrow-mouthed toad are also called toads. The Houston toad is the one to know: it is endangered and lives only in deep sandy soils.
Many guides say Texas has just the Gulf Coast toad and the Texas toad. That is wrong. The state is large and ranges from pine woods to desert, and its toads vary just as much.
This guide covers the main groups, how to tell several apart, and what to do if you find a rare one. It is not a full checklist, so check a field guide or the state agency for the complete list.
How this was made: prepared with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed at the end. Images are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of real animals or products.
Key Takeaways
- True toads in Texas include the Houston, Texas, red-spotted, Woodhouse’s and Gulf Coast toads.
- The cane toad is an introduced species, not native.
- Spadefoots and narrow-mouthed toads are other animals commonly called toads.
- The Houston toad is endangered and needs deep sandy soil and fishless breeding ponds.
- Do not move or handle wild toads. Report rare finds to the state wildlife agency.
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The true toads of Texas
California Herps’ Texas checklist places six species in the true toad family, Bufonidae: the Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis), red-spotted toad (A. punctatus), Texas toad (A. speciosus), Woodhouse’s toad (A. woodhousii), Gulf Coast toad (Incilius nebulifer) and cane toad (Rhinella marina).
The National Park Service also lists the eastern green toad (Anaxyrus debilis) at Amistad National Recreation Area, so that list is not complete.
Toads in the same family differ a lot in range. Some prefer the humid east, some the dry west. A toad’s location is often the best first clue to its name.
| Toad | Group | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Houston toad | True toad | Deep sandy soils, Bastrop County has the largest known population |
| Texas toad | True toad | Burrows in moist sandy soil, often seen at night and in rain |
| Red-spotted toad | True toad | Small, flattened body, active at twilight |
| Eastern green toad | True toad | Flat, bright green body, breeds after rain |
| Gulf Coast toad | True toad | Listed for Texas by California Herps |
| Cane toad | True toad, introduced | Not native to Texas |
The Houston toad: endangered and sand-bound
An archived Texas Parks and Wildlife page describes the Houston toad as endangered in Texas and under U.S. federal listing since 1970. Adults measure about 2 to 3.5 inches. Their colour runs from light brown to gray or purplish gray, and males have a dark throat that looks bluish when inflated.
They live only where deep, loose sand supports woodland savannah. They burrow to escape cold winters and hot, dry summers. They breed in still or slow water that lasts at least 30 days, and ponds without predatory fish are preferred.
Males call from December to June, with most breeding in February and March. Eggs hatch in about a week. Most males breed at one year old and females may wait two. The page gives a lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. The page is archived, so check current status with the state agency or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Do not collect, move or handle a toad you think is a Houston toad.
- Note the place, date and take photos from a distance.
- Report the sighting to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas toad, red-spotted toad and eastern green toad
The National Park Service describes the Texas toad as olive-brown to olive-grey with no defined back pattern. It is often seen at night and in rainy weather, and burrows into moist sandy soil to avoid heat and sun.
The red-spotted toad is small with a flattened body and widely spaced eyes. Colours range from light gray to olive or reddish-brown, usually with small reddish warts. It is most active at twilight, and its high call is sometimes mistaken for a cricket.
The eastern green toad has a flat body and bright green colour. Its call is shrill, like a whistle. It breeds from March to September but only when it rains.
Spadefoots and narrow-mouthed toads
Some animals called toads belong to other families. Couch’s spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) has a sickle-shaped spade on each hind foot and prefers dry plains and mesquite savannah. The Great Plains narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) has an oddly shaped body and almost no pattern. It hides in damp spots, including rodent burrows.
The park service notes that its skin secretion can cause a burning feeling in the mouth and eyes, which may put off ants, its main prey. Wash your hands if you ever handle a wild toad, and keep wild animals away from pets and faces.
How to tell toads apart
Start with location and habitat. Deep sand points to Houston or Texas toads. Dry rocky country points to the red-spotted toad. Next look at size, colour, spots and the call, which is often the most reliable clue. Photos help, and local herpetology groups can confirm a tricky ID.
For a broader view of the group, see our guide on how many toad species there are. For a neighbouring state, see the types of toads in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of toads are in Texas?
More than two. The state has several true toad species, plus spadefoots and a narrow-mouthed toad. No single figure is given here because lists differ by source.
What is the most endangered toad in Texas?
The Houston toad is listed as endangered in Texas and federally, per an archived state page.
Is the cane toad native to Texas?
No. It is an introduced species.
Is a spadefoot a true toad?
No. Spadefoots are in a different family but are commonly called toads.
What do Texas toads eat?
Many toads eat insects and other small invertebrates. The narrow-mouthed toad feeds mainly on ants.
Can I keep a Texas toad as a pet?
Rules vary. Check with Texas Parks and Wildlife before collecting any wild amphibian, and never take a Houston toad.
Bottom Line
Texas has a rich mix of toads. Learn the common ones, enjoy them from a distance, and report the rare ones.
Use local field guides and agency pages to confirm any ID.
Sources
- California Herps: Reptiles and Amphibians of Texas, accessed Texas toad checklist
- Texas Parks and Wildlife (archived): Houston toad, accessed status, habitat, breeding
- National Park Service: Amphibians of Amistad National Recreation Area, accessed descriptions of five toads
