Great Plains ToadAnaxyrus cognatusGarza County, TX

Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)
Carson County, Texas

The Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) is a large toad with a wide range across the plains and grasslands of central North America from southern Canada down into the prairies into the deserts of the SW US and down into the dry central plateau of Mexico.
In Texas, it is restricted to the dry grasslands of the northern and western parts of the state.

Great Plains Toads call from flooded playas and other temporary ponds during seasonal summer rains.

Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)
Garza County, Texas

The call of A. cognatus is a very loud trill that can be quite deafening when heard up close!
Here is the call from the individual pictured above in Garza County, Texas.

Here is another call from an individual in the same area.  The even pulsing trill you hear behind the main call is the call of a Texas Toad (Anaxyrus speciosus).

© Chris Harrison 2015