The western toad is an amphibian characterized by a rough, warty skin, but it does not cause warts on those who handle it as was once believed. Granular glands in the skin do secrete a toxic fluid which discourages predation by many enemies. This chunky toad exhibits a variety of color variations from brown to green or gray and usually has a light colored vertebral stripe down the back. A key to identification is the white undersurface, mottled with black spots. Toads are common in areas of southeast Alaska and have been found as far north as Prince William Sound.
Adult toads are diurnal and feed heavily on insects and other small animals.
They are often seen walking instead of hopping. Western toads hibernate through the cold winter months and awaken in the spring. Adults migrate to breeding ponds where the male attracts the female with a soft clucking call. The smaller male then grasps the larger female from above and fertilizes the eggs externally as she extrudes them into the water. The eggs resemble a long string of beads and later hatch into black tadpoles.