General Description: Great Plains Toads (Anaxyrus cognatus) are medium sized toads with paired dark blotches on the back. The dark blotches are ringed with light edges. Sometimes there is a light stripe down the center of the back. The cranial crests converge towards the nose and unite to form a boss. There is a well developed spade on the hind feet. Belly white and more or less unmarked. Males have a dark vocal pouch.

Taxonomy: Order Frogs and Toads (Anura); Family True Toads (Bufonidae). Formerly Bufo cognatus.

Technical Description: Body size medium (to 4.5 inches). Dorsal color light. Blotches dark with light edges, usually in symmetric pairs. Cranial crests form a V between the eyes, but diverge posteriorly between the eye and parotid gland. Inner tubercles on hind feet sharp edged. May have a narrow, dorsal stripe. Ventral color white, usually unmarked. In males, vocal sack is sausage-shaped, large.

Diet: Insects.

Habitat: Various habitats from prairies to deserts.

Range: This species occurs throughout the Great Plains and along the southern states west to the east edge of California. In Nevada, this species occurs in the Pahranagat Valley and along the Colorado River.

Breeding: Breeds after summer rains in quiet water during spring to fall. Amplexis pectoral.

Similar Species: Young have red spots like Red-spotted Toads. No other species has symmetrical spots and prominent cranial crests.

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