What factor specifically causes identification challenges when trying to distinguish juvenile *A. baxteri* from juvenile Western Toads?
Their size overlaps significantly during early growth stages, and their cranial crests may not be fully developed
Identifying very young individuals of closely related species often presents the most difficulty in field biology, and this is true for the Wyoming Toad and the Western Toad. For juveniles of both *A. baxteri* and *A. boreas*, identification becomes challenging due to two primary overlapping factors. First, their sizes overlap considerably during the various stages of early growth. Second, and crucially, the development of the cranial crests—the key adult diagnostic feature—is often incomplete or not yet pronounced in juveniles of both species, meaning the most reliable identifying mark is underdeveloped, necessitating caution during assessment.
