Animal Facts
Houston toads are Texas natives being found nowhere else in the world. They are habitat specialists, requiring post oak savannah and deep, sandy soil that was once more abundant in the area between Houston, Austin and Dallas. While they have not been found in their namesake Houston since the 1970s, the Houston Zoo leads the Houston Toad Recovery Program to save this special toad from extinction.
Scientific Name
Bufo houstonensis
Range
Bastrop and a few other Texas counties
Status in the Wild
Endangered
Location in the Zoo
Reptile and Amphibian House
Cool Animal Fact
The zoo maintains a 1,200 square foot Houston toad quarantine facility that serves as a location for the captive breeding and head starting of wild Houston toad egg strands for release into the wild. This facility is managed by two full-time Houston toad specialists who care for the toads and work closely with the program partners in the breed-and-release efforts.
How We Are Helping to Save Them
- In 2020, 899,700 Houston toad eggs were released into the wild. This program is saving this rare Texas toad from extinction.
- As of April 2018, a minimum of 13 wild egg strands were found in one pond alone.
- For the first time in many years, large multi-male choruses have been heard within the Houston toads’ range.
How You Can Help
Take the family and visit Bastrop State park, the only remaining state-protected area where Houston toads can still be found! A portion of your entrance fees goes towards the park’s conservation efforts and habitat recovery.
Donate today and help Houston toads!
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