Head to head
Western Toad vs American Toad
A western toad and an American toad both belong to the same North American toad genus, but one has largely abandoned the loud mating call most toads rely on, while the other still fills spring evenings with a familiar, sustained trill.
| Western Toad | American Toad | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Anaxyrus boreas | Anaxyrus americanus |
| Mating call | None, males lack a vocal sac | Long, musical trill |
| Native range | Western North America | Eastern North America |
| Elevation tolerance | Up to over 3,000 metres | Mostly lowland |
| Habitat | Mountains and forest | Forest, grassland, and wetlands |
| Diet | Insectivore | Insectivore |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Western Toad vs American Toad: common questions
Why does the western toad not make a mating call like the American toad?
Unlike most toad species, including the American toad, male western toads generally lack a functional vocal sac and do not produce the loud mating call typical of many other toads and frogs, relying instead on direct physical contact to locate mates during the breeding season, an unusual trait among North American toads.
Which toad is more common to encounter, the western toad or the American toad?
The American toad is generally far more commonly encountered, being a widespread and adaptable species across gardens, yards, and open habitat throughout eastern North America, while the western toad occupies a more specific and, at higher elevations, increasingly threatened range across the mountainous parts of western North America.
Are the western toad and American toad closely related?
Yes, both belong to the same genus, Anaxyrus, which includes several closely related North American toad species, though the western toad and American toad occupy largely separate geographic ranges on opposite sides of the continent and differ notably in their mating call behaviour and elevation tolerance.