|
home / Hidden Valley
Arizona's unique wildlife: the Sonoran Desert Toad
Alice Shoaf
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Maricopa is in the Sonoran Desert, home to some of the most unique wildlife you will see anywhere. If you survive the 115+ summer temperatures and wild monsoon weather, one species you are guaranteed to see is the Sonoran Desert Toad. He is also called the Colorado River Toad, or – in scientific circles – Bufo alvarius.
Of the 260 or so toads that inhabit the earth, this is one of the few classified as psychoactive. The skin and venom contain a mixture of bufotenin – a tryptamine found in some mushrooms – and 5-MeO-DMT – a psychedelic tryptamine. This is their primary source of defense. The venom is stored in glands behind their eardrums and on all four legs, and oozes in trace amounts from the skin itself. Dog owners will tell you that their pets act like they’re high when they lick or bite a toad. Now you know why!
Sonoran Desert Toads are prolific during the summer months, especially in wetter years, but can be found from May to September. In populated areas they will hide under houses or steps. The evening porch lights bring them out for a feeding frenzy, as they love all sorts of insects. In the wild they bury themselves in the mud and often stay in hibernation for months or even years, coming out only when there is enough rain to soften the hard desert ground. Then they are out en masse, breeding and laying their long, rope-like strands of eggs in any shallow water they find. Canals, drainage ditches, cattle ponds, gardens, and slow-moving streams are all likely spots to find toads, for they love the water.
Toads begin life as yellowish-brown tadpoles. Within a month they move onto land, and eat vociferously until it is time to hibernate. You may see them in the evening or very early morning, but the best time is at night. They eat insects, beetles, spiders, centipedes, lizards, and other toads. Scorpions are a favorite delicacy, and for this redeeming quality they are welcomed in many yards. Old timers say they store the scorpion poison in their blood, but no actual proof of that statement has been found to date.
They can live as long as 20 years, but the average life span is about 10. An adult male can exceed 7 inches, not including the legs. Females are somewhat smaller. They may be brown, tan, greenish, or gray, with smooth skin and a cream-colored underbelly. They have a loud, piercing call that sounds almost like weak screaming. Males will also cluck incessantly when picked up, or when coupled by another male during mating season.
These toads can hop a foot and a half at a time, and have a strange galloping motion when they’re in a hurry. While not aggressive, they have a unique defensive motion when attacked. They will face the danger with their head lowered, puff up with air, and hiss loudly. Most attackers get the message and back off. Their best defense is their toxic venom, however.
Dogs are particularly susceptible to the venom, which is absorbed through the mouth, tongue, and eyes. Simply licking a toad will cause a dog to froth at the mouth, shake his head violently, and paw furiously at his face. If he bites the toad he may also stagger, appear frenzied or lost, develop heart palpitations, develop seizures, and may die. The best remedy to save your dog is to use a garden hose to flush his mouth and face. Most dogs learn quickly to stay away from toads, but there are a few who seem to enjoy the experience enough to repeat it.
A few humans have also learned to love the toad’s venom, enough that state laws were enacted to prevent venom-gathering. It dries into a white powder, which is then smoked for a psychedelic high that is said to be similar to a near-death experience in intensity, though of short duration. Perhaps this is one reason Sonoran Desert Toads are on the endangered species list in California. They are considered a threatened species in New Mexico, as well.
Arizona, however, has no shortage of toads. They are easy to overlook since their coloring blends well with the desert hues. They are fascinating to watch and worth their weight in gold for their eating preferences. However, after reading this, if you absolutely must pick them up and play with them, you would be well advised to wear gloves and wash with soap and water when you are finished.
|
|
|
|
|
|
nps.gov
The Sonoran Desert Toad -- or the Colorado River Toad -- or Bufo alvarius is common in the Maricopa area.
|