Bufo boreas, commonly known as the western toad, is a species of toad found primarily in western North America. It typically inhabits a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. This toad is recognized for its warty skin, which can vary in color from brown to green, and its distinctive large, parotoid glands behind the eyes. Western toads are primarily nocturnal and feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They breed in ponds and streams during the spring, laying long strings of eggs that develop into tadpoles. Bufo boreas plays an important role in its ecosystem by helping control insect populations.