Trying to identify. Fowler's or Woodhouse's

[melon014]

I live in eastern Nebraska, I think it's a Fowler's or Woodhouse's. Not sure of the sex either. I would like to create a vivarium/terrarium for it, but I want to verify the species first so I make the proper habitat.

[momerath]

Definitely looks like woodhouse's to me. Plus, I didn't think fowler's ranged into Nebraska, at least not commonly. Regardles, I'd say it is a woodhouse's toad, too spotty to be a fowler's, especially with the red spots that the younger one's have.

[melon014]

Thats what I was thinking. I've been googling the crap out of both, the descriptions are so similar. They say Fowler's have 3 or more warts, but like you said, they don't reach to Nebraska.

[Tindomul1of9]

I really think its a fowler's because the Dorsal spots are too well defined.
Here is from my copy of A key to Amphibians and Reptiles of the Continental United States and Canada.
16a. Dorsal spots relatively indistinct (appearing almost "washed-out") and encircling one to several warts; range largely restricted to the Great Plains and arid Southwest U.S. -------B. woodhousii

16b. Dorsal spots usually large and well-defined, frequently six in number, and encircling three or more warts; range largely east of the Great Plains ----- B. fowlerii

Notice it does not say restricted to east of the Great Plains. The spots on your toad look pretty well defined to me, compare it to the spots of some photos of other B. woodhousii's.

[melon014]

I'm seriously doubting the difference between the two species. Here are some pics I downloaded.

[Tindomul1of9]

I think the pics are mislabeled, where did the pics come from?
Compare these;

B. fowlerii
CalPhotos

and
B. woodhousii
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/im...el-lifeform=ne

[melon014]

Both of your links go to Fowler's pics

B. Woodhousii
Bufo woodhousii australis - Southwestern Woodhouse's Toad

B. Fowlerii
Bill Dahl - Plant images and the colors I see

[Tindomul1of9]

Sorry, fixed it, take a look

[melon014]

I give up. They're too similar for me. Either way, the habitat is the same.

[momerath]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

I really think its a fowler's because the Dorsal spots are too well defined.
Here is from my copy of A key to Amphibians and Reptiles of the Continental United States and Canada.
16a. Dorsal spots relatively indistinct (appearing almost "washed-out") and encircling one to several warts; range largely restricted to the Great Plains and arid Southwest U.S. -------B. woodhousii

16b. Dorsal spots usually large and well-defined, frequently six in number, and encircling three or more warts; range largely east of the Great Plains ----- B. fowlerii

Notice it does not say restricted to east of the Great Plains. The spots on your toad look pretty well defined to me, compare it to the spots of some photos of other B. woodhousii's.

The problem is that we are looking at a YOUNG toad. Trust me. It is a woodhouse's toad. It looks EXACTLY like the young one's I've collected around the zoo.

The spots the key is referring to are the larger spots that adult toads have. Right now they are hidden by the little red spots on your toad. As it gets older the red spots will fade and almost disappear, leaving loosely defined large spots behind. In other words, the little red spots are not what the key is referring too when it mentions well defined spots.