At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Houston toad is a rare toad of sandy pine and oak woodlands in Texas. It is assessed as Endangered.
It depends on specific soils for burrowing and on seasonal ponds for breeding.
Range & habitat
A few areas of eastern Texas, USA.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Drought and altered fire regimes
- A tiny, fragmented population
Why it matters
A Texas endemic dependent on a vanishing woodland-and-pond habitat, the Houston toad is a flagship for conserving the region's sandy uplands.
Sources
Sources for Houston Toad
- IUCN Red List — look up Houston Toad (authoritative status)
- AmphibiaWeb (UC Berkeley)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Houston toad so particular about habitat?
It needs loose sandy soils to burrow into and nearby seasonal ponds to breed, a specific combination that has been lost or fragmented across much of its range.
Why is the Houston toad Endangered?
Published assessments cite habitat loss and fragmentation, drought and altered fire regimes, and a tiny fragmented population. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: