Amargosa toad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amargosa toad |
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B. nelsoni
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| Bufi nelsoni Stejneger, 1893
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Bufo boreas ssp. nelsoni Stejneger, 1893 |
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The Amargosa toad (Bufo nelsoni) is a special type of toad. It lives in the Amargosa Desert area. These toads are part of the Bufonidae family. This family includes all true toads.
Scientists once thought the Amargosa toad was a kind of Western toad. But now they know it is its own unique species. This toad is named after the Amargosa River. This river flows through parts of Nevada and California.
Contents
What is a Toad?
Toads are amphibians. This means they can live both on land and in water. They are known for their bumpy, dry skin. Toads also have short legs. They usually walk or make small hops.
Toads are different from frogs in a few ways. Frogs often have smooth, wet skin. They also have longer legs for jumping. Toads usually prefer drier places than frogs.
Where the Amargosa Toad Lives
The Amargosa toad lives in a very specific place. This is the Amargosa Desert. It is a desert area in Nevada and California. Deserts are very dry places.
Even though it's a desert, the Amargosa toad needs water. It lives near springs and streams. These water sources help the toad survive. They provide places to lay eggs and stay moist.
Life Cycle
Like all amphibians, the Amargosa toad starts its life in water.
- Adult toads lay their eggs in water. The eggs are usually in long strings.
- The eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles look like tiny fish. They breathe with gills.
- Tadpoles eat tiny plants in the water. They grow bigger over time.
- As they grow, tadpoles change. They grow legs and lose their tails. This change is called metamorphosis.
- Once they have legs and no tail, they become young toads. They can then leave the water. They will live mostly on land.
What They Eat
Amargosa toads are carnivores. This means they eat other animals. They mostly eat small invertebrates.
Toads use their long, sticky tongues to catch food. They wait for prey to come close. Then they quickly flick out their tongue.
Staying Safe
The Amargosa toad faces challenges. Its home is a desert. Water is scarce there.
- They need clean water to live.
- Their habitat can be changed by human activities.
- Protecting their water sources is very important.
Scientists work to keep the Amargosa toad safe. They want to make sure these special toads continue to thrive.
See also
In Spanish: Anaxyrus nelsoni para niños
