- Small, typically growing to a maximum of 3 inches (7.6 cm)
- Gray, olive, tan, or reddish-brown with distinctive small red or orange spots (tubercles) on its back
- Large, round parotoid glands behind the eyes, roughly the size of the eyes themselves ... these glands produce toxins, though generally considered harmless
- The head is characterized by a flattened head and body, with a pointed snout
- Males have dark throats, while females have white throats and tend to be larger than males
- Found in rocky riparian areas like streams, washes, springs, and even cattle tanks ... they prefer rocky areas and use crevices for shelter