Gulf Coast toad
{{Short description|Species of amphibian}}
{{For|the other toad species also referred to as the Gulf Coast toad|Incilius nebulifer}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Gulf Coast toad
| image = Bufo_valliceps_(2016).jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Incilius valliceps
| authority = (Wiegmann, 1833)
| synonyms = Bufo trachypus Wiegmann, 1833
Bufo valliceps Wiegmann, 1833{{ITIS |id=773594 |taxon=Bufo valliceps |access-date=22 October 2009}}
Cranopsis valliceps (Wiegmann, 1833)
Ollotis valliceps (Wiegmann, 1833)
| range_map = Bufo vacilleps distribution.svg
| range_map_caption =
}}
The Gulf Coast toad (Incilius valliceps) is a species of toad native to eastern and southeastern Mexico and Central America as far south as Costa Rica.{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetorept00cona_0 |url-access=registration |title=A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians: Eastern and Central North America |first=Roger |last=Conant |author2=Joseph T. Collins |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |year=1998 |edition=3rd |isbn=978-0-395-90452-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetorept00cona_0/page/521 521]–522}}{{cite web |url=http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Anura/Bufonidae/Incilius/Incilius-valliceps |title=Incilius valliceps (Wiegmann, 1833) |author=Frost, Darrel R. |year=2015 |work=Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 |publisher=American Museum of Natural History |access-date=9 December 2015}}
Description
File:Gulf Coast Toad - Bufo valliceps.jpg
The Gulf Coast toad is a medium-sized toad species, ranging from {{convert|1|to|4|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=flip}} in length.{{cite web |url=http://www.herpsoftexas.org/content/gulf-coast-toad |title=Bufo valliceps Gulf Coast Toad |work=Herps of Texas |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |access-date=2015-08-21}} Their back varies in color from nearly black, to shades of brown and grey with a distinctive white or yellowish colored stripe down the center, and sometimes lighter colored patches on the sides. Their underside is yellow or cream colored. Their back is covered in small tubercles, while their underside is normally devoid of them.
I. valliceps has the most extensive ridging of any toad in its geographic range. The ridges extend from the nose, to the back of the head, and with a branch that wraps around the back side of the eye.
Habitat
The Gulf Coast toad is found in a wide range of habitats, including open grassland, semi-arid regions, light forest, and even suburban backyards. They are typically found not far from a permanent water source, which they use for breeding in the spring, but they are capable of travelling long distances while foraging for food.
Diet
References
{{Commons category|position=left|Incilius valliceps}}
{{Wikispecies|position=left|Incilius valliceps}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
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Category:Amphibians of Costa Rica
Category:Amphibians of El Salvador
Category:Amphibians of Guatemala
Category:Amphibians of Honduras
Category:Amphibians of Nicaragua