Facts about Sonoran Desert Toads
- 07
Females of this species are significantly larger than males, often reaching 7 inches in length compared to males averaging 5 inches, a sexual dimorphism advantage for egg production.
- 06
Bufo alvarius toads possess bumpy parotoid glands behind their eyes that enlarge during breeding season to store increased quantities of defensive secretions.
- 05
A single Sonoran Desert toad can produce enough secretion to fill a teaspoon, containing enough psychoactive compounds to affect multiple individuals.
- 04
Incisor teeth on Sonoran Desert toads are completely absent, as these amphibians rely entirely on their sticky tongues to capture and consume insects and small prey.
- 03
During breeding season, male Sonoran Desert toads produce loud vocalizations reaching up to 90 decibels to attract mates across desert terrain.
- 02
Sonoran Desert toads can live up to 20 years in captivity, making them among the longest-lived toad species in North America.
- 01
The Colorado River toad secretes 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenin alkaloids in concentrations reaching 15 milligrams per gram of dried secretion.