Southern California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus)
Last Modified: February 26th, 2015 - 11:42 PM Entered by: Robert and Nicholas Hess
Record 216687
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Country: United States |
State: California |
County: Los Angeles County |
Time: 2015-02-26 15:50:00 |
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Qty: 18 |
Age: Varying |
Sex: -- |
Method: Visual encounter |
Habitat: flood control basin in chaparral |
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Body Temperature: ----- |
Air Temperature: 66.00F |
Ground Temperature: ----- |
Humidity: ----- |
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Sky Conditions: Few clouds |
Moon Phase: ----- |
Elevation: ----- |
Barometric Pressure: ----- |
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Notes
These are the first breeding toads - and tadpoles - we have seen in the flood control basin since spring 2012. In 2013 and 2014 there was not enough water for breeding.
In addition to the two vouchered pairs, other single toads and pairs trying to mate were seen in the same pool.
The water in the pool is a bit of a mystery. It is not from the seasonal stream (still dry right now) that terminates in the flood control basin, but rather from a drain pipe that empties into the basin from the side. Even in summer there is always at least some flowing water. That would seem to indicate a spring of some kind, as run-off water should be seasonal only. Then again, the water doesn't look entirely clean, but more like run-off water. In any event, this is the first time ever we see any breeding in this little side pool.
This population seems critical to the area as it is the only population we know of on the northside of the mountains. Most or all other historical locations seem to have been developed. The goods news is that the population at this spot still seems strong. On a warm, rainy night in early December we vouchered over 60 toads in about 90 minutes. The toads range all the way up into the chaparral far from the water, to about 1,700 feet.
We will monitor the toads there and hope to see many toadlets soon.
Vouchers
