 Cope determined that the "Anaxyrus hemiophrys" differs from most of the other North American ""Bufo"" species because of the lack of postorbital crests and in having spots on its belly.The closely related "Anaxyrus baxteri" (the Wyoming toad) was once considered a subspecies of the "Anaxyrus hemiophrys".It is a relict population that is believed to be a remnant from when the "Anaxyrus hemiophrys", or its ancestors, range was larger.