Over 300 of our Wyoming toad tadpoles were held back to become part of the Species Survival Plan breeding population, and to become our next generation of headstart toads. These toads will grow from now until May, when we will release them as adults into their Wyoming habitat. Most of our tadpoles have already developed their hind legs, which is one of the earlier steps in the toad metamorphosis process. Their forelimbs will develop after their hind limbs, and at that point they really start loo

The Wyoming toad is extremely rare and exclusive to the Cowboy State. In Wyoming, it has been designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need, and is currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. To help restore the endemic toad species to their native habitat in the Laramie basin, captive bred toads are released annually. Species of Greatest Conservation Need are certain species within Wyoming that warrant additional conservation attention. Wyoming has many other Species of Greatest

Take a rare glimpse into the breeding behavior of the great plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus), a Wyoming species of greatest conservation need. These toads are more often heard and not seen, due to their incredibly loud calls for such a small animal! This video shows how male toads produce their calls—by inflating a sac on their throat (called the vocal pouch) with air. Each summer, just after sunset, males congregate in temporary ponds on the high prairie and begin their impressive chorus. Wildli

12K views · 401 reactions | Our Wyoming toad tadpoles are growing up!...

And just like that, last week’s Wyoming toad eggs have become tiny tadpoles! 5,703 CMZoo-hatched tadpoles were released in Wyoming’s Laramie Basin yesterday. (Yes, we counted them all.) Others will stay at CMZoo to continue developing - later participating in our breeding program and/or being released to the wild as toads. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has supported Wyoming toad conservation since 1992. Since 2008, the Zoo has partnered with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and others to breed, raise and re