Reptile

Western Toad

Anaxyrus boreas
Reptile Columbia River region, near present-day The Dalles, Oregon New to Western Science
Western Toad

Photo: Walter Siegmund, CC BY-SA 3.0

Common Names
Toad of the Columbia
Habitat
Moist forests, meadows, and stream edges from lowlands to mountain passes
First Observed
1806-04-10
Observed At
Columbia River region, near present-day The Dalles, Oregon

Lewis and Clark described the western toad during their expedition through the Pacific Northwest. This large toad, which can reach 5 inches in length, is found from Alaska to Baja California. Lewis noted its distinctive white dorsal stripe and warty skin, comparing it to eastern toads but noting differences in coloration.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, April 10, 1806: "observed a species of toad common to this region… it is considerably larger than the common toad of the Atlantic states and differs in colouring being of a dark olive green with a light streak running along the center of the back."

Recent sightings

Where it’s being seen today

1 research-grade iNaturalist observation between 2024–2024. Most recent: 2024-05-26. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.

iNaturalist observation 2024-05-26 2024-05-26

Journal References

6 journal entries mention Western Toad

Feb 25 1805
Fort Mandan, preparing for departure — Patrick Gass: February 25, 1805
Jan 15 1806
Lewis: January 15, 1806
... large fallen tree which as well as the pit lye across the toads frequented by the Elk. these pitts are disguised with the slender boughs of trees and moss; the ...
May 29 1806
Clark: May 29, 1806
...ter and their action much Slower; they Crawl much like the toad. they are of a brown Colour with yellowish and yellowish brown Spots. it is covered with minute sc...
May 29 1806
Lewis: May 29, 1806
...ter and their action much slower; they crawl much like the toad. they are of brown colour with yellowish and yellowishbrown spots. it is covered with minute scale...
May 30 1806
Clark: May 30, 1806
...lengthy form of our bullfrogs and that of our land frog or toad as they are Sometimes called in the United States. like the latter their bodies are covered with l...
May 30 1806
Lewis: May 30, 1806
...lengthy form of our bull frog and that of our land frog or toad as they are sometimes called in the U States. like the latter their bodies are covered with littl...

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