This representative of the family Leptodactylidae lives in Mexico, southern Arizona and New Mexico. Its natural habitat are areas covered by yucca, mixed growth of juniper and holm-oak  (Texas)  or clumps of cactus (Mexico).

The barking frog looks much like a toad but with thin unwebbed toes and small tubercles projecting from the limb joints.  The animal moves in a rather unusual way with the body raised a little from the ground on its short legs.

The barking frog has a fold of skin across the back, directly behind the head, as well as a circular tympanum, features that distinguish it from related species.  The coloration is usually gray-violet, sometimes greenish or brown, and dark spots with paler edges.  The eyes are dark brown. The peculiar call of the males given out every two or three seconds is similar to the barking of a dog.

This frog is not dependent on permanent water, for its unpigmented eggs, richly provided with yolk, are deposited in moist cracks or under stones during the rainy season.  The tadpoles remain inside the egg membrane and develop directly into very small frogs that find refuge in the undergrowth.

The young look quite different, with a paler-colored band across the back, separating two brown-black zones.  This band disappears as the animal matures.