Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae

Listing Status:   

Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND

General Information

The Houston toad is 2 to 3.5 inches long. Its general coloration varies from light brown to gray or purplish gray, sometimes with green patches. The pale undersides often have small, dark spots. Males have a dark throat, which appears bluish when distended.

Map of Species occurrence

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Map Image Map of Species occurrence Map of Species occurrence

This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)



This species is listed wherever it is found, but
    • States/US Territories in which the Houston toad, Entire is known to or is believed to occur:  Texas
    • US Counties in which the Houston toad, Entire is known to or is believed to occur:  View All
Current Listing Status Summary
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
10/13/1970 Southwest Region (Region 2) Entire

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 8: view all)
Date Citation Page Title
04/21/2006 71 FR 20714 20716 5-Year Review of 25 Southwestern Species
12/16/2002 67 FR 77074 77075 Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for an Incidental Take Permit for Development and Operation of a High Adventure Boy Scout Camp on the 4,848-Acre Griffith League Ranch, Bastrop County, TX
01/17/2001 66 FR 4035 4036 Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan
01/17/2001 66 FR 4035 Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan
01/31/1978 43 FR 4022 4026 Final Determination of Critical Habitat for the Houston Toad

» Action Plans

Action Plans (Showing 1 of 1)
Date Title
08/04/2009 Houston toad spotlight species action plan

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
09/17/1984 Houston Toad Recovery Plan View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 1 of 1)
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
04/21/2006 71 FR 20714 20716 5-Year Review of 25 Southwestern Species
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    11/28/2011 Houston Toad 5-year Review
    11/28/2011 Houston Toad 5-year Review

    » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 2 of 2)
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    01/31/1978 43 FR 4022 4026 Final Determination of Critical Habitat for the Houston Toad Final Rule Final designated
    05/26/1977 42 FR 27009 27011 Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for Houston Toad; 42 FR 27009 27011 (Bufo houstonensis) Proposed Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 5 of 271: view all)
    HCP Plan Summaries
    0000-Amendment #1 46-Subdivisions (42 medium quality subdivisions)
    0000-Amendment #1 46-Subdivisions (4 low quality subdivisions)
    0001-Aiello, James
    0001-Ludwig, Patsy E. and Wheeler, Danny L.
    0002-Stobaugh, Mike
    Safe Harbor Agreements (SHA): (learn more) (Showing 4 of 4)
    SHA Plan Summaries
    Bob Long SHA - Houston Toad
    Boy Scouts / LCRA Lost Pines
    Gulf Coast Prairies (aka Coastal Prairie Conservation Initiative [CLCI])
    Small Family Ranch

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the Houston toad, Entire.

    » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: February 15, 2013