The Puerto Rican toad was once found in nine locations in Puerto Rico (Isabela, Quebradillas, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Vega Baja, Bayamon, Coamo, Ponce and Guanica) and in one location in Virgin Gorda (USFWS, 1992). Until recently, roads were believed to have been destroyed in all areas except for temporary roads in Guanica. In 2008, a second breeding population of crested toads was discovered in Punta Ventana, Guayanilla, which is located about 3.83 km northeast of the Guanica population. It is believed that this new population is most likely a metapopulation of Quranic toads due to its close proximity. In 2010 in cienagas, also near Guanica, spotted toads, but the current state of the population is unknown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although historic habitat varies from rainforest, grassland, to dry scrub, all known areas are comprised of temporary bodies of water and limestone rock formations known as “karst.” Crested toads have never been found at elevations higher than 200 meters. The last remaining population’s habitat in the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, is rugged, dry scrub forest. There are no permanent bodies of fresh water in the area and on average, Guánica receives a meager 35 inches of rain annually (Farnsworth, 1991). The dry season is generally December to April and the wet season is from August to November (Farnsworth, 1991). Puerto Rican crested toads are nocturnal, escaping the sun’s intense heat during the day, by entering holes and fissures within the karst. The toads are seldom observed throughout the year except during breeding events.

 

 

 

Current and historical locations of Puerto Rican crested toad populations:

 

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