The Green Toad (Anaxyrus debilis) is a pretty little toad of the Chihuahuan Desert and neighboring biotic provinces. It is rarely seen on the surface except after rains although it can be found sheltering under rocks and similar debris during drier periods.
In Texas, this diminutive toad is found in the western 2/3 of the state although it is more common in south and west Texas than in the central part of the state.
This Green Toad was recorded in Dimmitt County, Texas after a day of heavy rain. It was calling from a flooded pasture along with other species, including Texas toads.
Other species heard in the background include Texas Toads (Anaxyrus speciosus), Spotted Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris clarkii) and a Great Plains Narrow-mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea).
Here is the spectrogram for the first 5 seconds of that recording. You can see where the Green Toad calls are with the shorter, quicker, lower-pitched trills of the Texas Toads. Although there are the "dispeptic groans" of the Couch's Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus couchii) in the background, they are not easily heard in this recording.
The high nasal trill of the Green Toad can be mistaken for the nasal bleating of the Great Plains Narrowmouthed Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) with which it is often found. However, the Green Toad's call is shorter and more trill-like than the pure whine of the Narrow-mouthed Toad.
© Chris Harrison 2013
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