WOODHOUSE'S TOAD

Woodhouse's Toads are the largest and likely the most common amphibian across the Navajo Nation. They are recognized by a prominent white stripe down their back and large lobe-shaped parotid glands. Woodhouse's Toads are found in nearly all low- to mid-elevation wet habitats, including wooded bottomlands, canyons, riverbanks, marshes, irrigated farmland, gardens and residential areas. Like all frogs and toads, they lay eggs in water and have aquatic larva called tadpoles.

Frogs and Toads are called "Ch'ąl" in the Navajo language. Traditional Navajo People consider them as sacred and have great respect for frogs and toads. It is said that they are the controllers of moisture on earth. One should not kill or harm frog and toads.