Adults and transformed juveniles of this species, however, are highly terrestrial and often live far from water. During summer, they are most active on humid nights. Terrestrial individuals are primarily nocturnal over much of their range, but are also active diurnally during spring. Toads from high Sierra populations are diurnal during their entire activity period. They become inactive when the weather is especially hot, dry or cold.
Males defend small areas around themselves during the breeding period.
In California, the breeding season extends from January to July depending on local conditions. Breeding at any specific locality is usually synchronous. They are deposited in double rows and become entangled with each other, submerged vegetation and bottom debris as the female moves about while laying. Tadpoles metamorphose during the summer or fall, when they may emerge and disperse from the breeding sites by the hundreds or thousands. Tadpoles may be very numerous, and often form dense aggregations.