Canadian Toad

Anaxyrus hemiophrys

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
AAABB01080
Common Name: 
Canadian Toad
Scientific Name: 
Anaxyrus hemiophrys
Synonyms: 
Bufo hemiophrys
Naming References: 
R167
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Amphibian
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Amphibia
Order: 
Anura
Family: 
Bufonidae
References: 
R167
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Unknown
References: 
B106

Longevity

Unknown
References: 
B106

Economic/Human Considerations

Important ecosystem functions.
References: 
A103
Habitat
Breeding = brief period in ponds and edges of lakes. Summer = terrestrial. Winter = burrows into sandy soil.
References: 
A103
A105
H108
P007
Distribution

Ecozones

Boreal Plains
References: 
A103

Distribution

0.6% of the NWT; limits of distribution poorly known.
Score: 
Categ
References: 
A103
H108

Number of Occurrences

2; Probably more widely distributed than indicated. More sites found near Ft Smith.
Score: 
A = 1
References: 
A103
A105
H108

Area of Occupancy

Unknown - possibly some reductions in Alberta.
Score: 
-
References: 
A103
B107
H108
Population

Population Size

Unknown; probably small to medium.
Score: 
DE =
References: 
A103
A105
H108
Trends

Trends

Declining in Alberta and possibly Manitoba. Presumed stable in NWT (M. Fournier).
Score: 
Categ
References: 
A103
B107
H108
Threats

Threats

Road mortality, disturbance at overwintering sites; small population at northern limits of range - possibly disjunct (M. Fournier).
Score: 
C = M
References: 
A103
A105
H108

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Disturbance or destruction of denning sites; overwintering habitat may be severely restricted; gravel/sand extraction (M. Fournier).
Score: 
-
References: 
A103
A105
H108
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
Due to small number of occurrences.
S Rank: 
S3
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004; little new information (H108_05). Reviewed in 2010; modified to sensitive from may be at risk due to review of results of detailed assessment by COSEWIC (2003). Not ranked as secure due to small number of occurrences and limited range at northern edge of distribution in the NWT (S. Carriere). Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 14, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Not At Risk
References: 
R136

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Cook FR (1984) Introduction to Canadain Amphibians and Reptiles. National Museums of Canada M Fournier - B106 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Weller WF and Green DM (1997) Checklist and current status of Canadian amphibians. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 309-328 M Fournier - B107 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • COSEWIC (2003) COSEWIC assessment of the Canadian Toad in Canada. Draft written by A. B. Didiuk Copy in RWED library - R136 Return

Economic Status

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return

Ecozones

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return

Habitat

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Kuyt E (1991) A communal overwintering site for the Canadian Toad, Bufo americanus hemiophrys, in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:119/121 RWED Library - A105 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Amphibians & Reptiles in the Northwest Territories. Ecology North Public pamphlet Database references file - P007 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Kuyt E (1991) A communal overwintering site for the Canadian Toad, Bufo americanus hemiophrys, in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:119/121 RWED Library - A105 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Longevity

  • Cook FR (1984) Introduction to Canadain Amphibians and Reptiles. National Museums of Canada M Fournier - B106 Return

Naming

  • Crother, B. I. (ed.). (2008) Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) Sixth Edition, Herpetological Circular 37 - R167 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Kuyt E (1991) A communal overwintering site for the Canadian Toad, Bufo americanus hemiophrys, in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:119/121 RWED Library - A105 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Population Size

Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
,
Kuyt E (1991) A communal overwintering site for the Canadian Toad, Bufo americanus hemiophrys, in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:119/121 RWED Library - A105 Return
,
Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Range Extent

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Weller WF and Green DM (1997) Checklist and current status of Canadian amphibians. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 309-328 M Fournier - B107 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Taxonomy

  • Crother, B. I. (ed.). (2008) Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) Sixth Edition, Herpetological Circular 37 - R167 Return

Threats

  • Fournier M.A. (1997) Amphibians in the Northwest Territories: a summary of historic information.. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Conservation No. 1: Amphibians in Decline; Canadian Studies of a Glabal Problem. Green DM (editor). 100-106 Personal Files, M Fournier - A103 Return
  • Kuyt E (1991) A communal overwintering site for the Canadian Toad, Bufo americanus hemiophrys, in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105:119/121 RWED Library - A105 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return