Species profile
Great Plains Toad
Anaxyrus cognatus
Identify Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) is an IUCN Least Concern amphibian regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 4 (California); the most generous is 15 (Pennsylvania).
Confirmed by 3,801 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Ranges across the Great Plains from southern Canada to central Mexico.
- Males produce an extremely loud, harsh buzz that can be heard from great distances.
- Breeds explosively in temporary pools triggered by heavy spring and summer rains.
- Nocturnal and capable of burrowing into soil to escape heat and drought.
- Parotoid glands behind the eyes secrete mild toxins to deter predators.
Where Great Plains Toad are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Great Plains Toad
Background
The Great Plains toad, Anaxyrus cognatus, is a relatively large species of true toad native to central North America.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Great Plains Toad article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other amphibians on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Great Plains Toad?
Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) is an IUCN Least Concern amphibian regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Great Plains Toad?
Great Plains Toad is Anaxyrus cognatus.
Is Great Plains Toad regulated for fishing?
Yes — Great Plains Toad has fishing regulations in 3 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Great Plains Toad?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Great Plains Toad along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.