All rights to these images are reserved. Educational use permitted. For management guidelines click here. General coloration varies from light brown to gray or purplish gray, sometimes with green patches. The pale ventral surfaces often have small, dark spots.
Males have a dark throat, which appears bluish when distended.
The Houston Toad is a terrestrial amphibian associated with deep sandy soils within the Post Oak Savannah vegetational area of east central Texas. Since Houston Toads are poor burrowers, loose friable soils are required for burrowing. Large areas of predominantly sandy soils greater than 40 inches deep are considered preferred habitat. For breeding, including egg and tadpole development, Houston Toads also require still or slow-flowing bodies of water that persist for at least 30 days. The toads do best in ponds without predatory fish.