Latin Name

Anaxyrus boreas

History at CuriOdyssey

One of our Western toads was collected by a private licensed collector and donated to CuriOdyssey in 2018.  The other four toads were donated to CuriOdyssey in 2018.

Fun Facts about Western Toads

Western toads are considered the gardener’s friend because they eat common garden pests like insects and slugs.

What do Western Toads eat?

Over 95 percent of their adult diet consists of flying insects, ants, beetles, sowbugs, spiders, centipedes, slugs, and earthworms. They will also take larger items like small mice if given a chance. At CuriOdyssey, they are served crickets, worms, and baby mice.

How long do Western Toads live?

In the Wild: 8 to 12 years.
In Captivity: 12 to 16 years.

Where do Western Toads live?

Varies from desert streams to mountain meadows; burrows in loose soil or abandoned burrows; and is always found near water. Their range extends in western USA, south into Mexico, north into Canada, and along the coast of southern Alaska.

Note: The above ranges are mostly for the sub-species boreal toad. The sub-species California toad is only found in north central California into west central Nevada, south, east of the deserts, into Baja California.