TPWD
Species Spotlights
Houston Toad
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Texas boasts the most toad species of any state, but the Houston Toad is our only "endemic" toad, found here and nowhere else on earth.
They're also one of the most endangered amphibians in North America. Adapted for a tough environment and unique to the Lone Star State—they're Toad-ally Texan!
Sadly, the Houston Toad was lost from it's namesake city (Houston) in the 1970's. Today, there could be less than a few hundred toads, or less, left in the wild.
The hopeful news is there are ongoing partner conservation efforts including captive breeding at Texas zoos, such as Houston Zoo and Fort Worth Zoo, reintroductions at known breeding sites in Bastrop County, and also habitat protection and restoration work in Central Texas counties with good Houston Toad habitat— specifically in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion—on properties with deep, sandy soil.
Did you know the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion is one of our most imperiled habitats in Texas?
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Taylor Garrison TPWD
The Post Oak Savannah is one of the most imperiled ecoregions in Texas.
Take Action
Do you own land in one of the following counties? If the answer's yes, you can help Post Oak Savannah wildlife, including the Houston Toad.
The Houston Toad's current potential range includes parts of Austin, Bastrop, Burleson, Colorado, Lee, Leon, Lavaca, Milam, and Robertson county. Map courtesy TPWD.
Post Oak Savannah Habitat Management Benefits Many Species
If you're a landowner in one of the counties in the map above, you can help by maintaining a healthy Post Oak Savannah through understory brush control (e.g. mechanical, herbicide, prescribed fire) and native grass restoration.
Too much brush (e.g. Yaupon, etc.) can crowd out the native bunch grasses and forbs (e.g. native wildflowers) in a healthy Savannah. Native bunch grasses, such as Little Bluestem, produce insects, provide forage, shelter, and more easily navigable cover from predators.
This healthy Savannah habitat is not only good for the Houston Toad—but for Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, Painted Bunting, Monarch Butterfly, and other at-risk native wildlife.
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Before Brush Management
One Year After Brush Management
Watch a Time Lapse Video of the Transition
Post Oak Savannah Habitat and Houston Toad Resources for Landowners:
- Get habitat advice from your Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Biologist. Tell them you'd like to get started on Savannah management and restoration on your property to benefit native wildlife. Find yours by county HERE.
- If you're specifically interested in the Houston Toad, visit Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy's Houston Toad webpage. If you live in the right kind of habitat for the Houston Toad, experts working in Texas can connect you with cost share program information, technical guidance, and conservation information for the Houston Toad.
- To inquire whether your property might be eligible for Houston Toad Monitoring click HERE.
Upcoming Landowner Learning Opportunities:
For Texas landowners in Post Oak Savannah counties who want to manage their property for native wildlife—this field day at Fort Boggy State Park will be a great opportunity to learn about habitat restoration and management, see demonstration of tools used, and talk with local experts. REGISTER TODAY.
Texas Alliance Members Working in Houston Toad Conservation:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Fort Worth Zoo
Houston Zoo
Dallas Zoo
Pines and Prairies Land Trust