Varaldias spadefoot toad
A species of European spadefoot toad Scientific name : Pelobates varaldii Genus : European spadefoot toad
Varaldias spadefoot toad, A species of European spadefoot toad
Scientific name: Pelobates varaldii
Genus: European spadefoot toad
Content
Description General Info
Description
Pelobates varaldii, the Moroccan spadefoot toad or Varaldi's spadefoot toad, is a species of frog in the Pelobatidae family. It is found in Morocco and possibly Spain. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes. The species is threatened by habitat loss.
General Info
Lifespan
7-10 years
Diet
Varaldias spadefoot toad's diet is primarily insectivorous, with a particular predilection for ants and beetles. Using its specialized tongue, it efficiently consumes these invertebrates, which constitute a substantial portion of its nutrition.
Appearance
Varaldias spadefoot toad is a sizable, sturdy amphibian with a rotund body. The skin is rough and wart-covered, usually displaying hues ranging from olive green to brown. This toad-like creature exhibits black and yellow spots on its flanks. A distinguishable feature is a spade-like metatarsal tubercle on hind legs which it uses for burrowing. No significant differences are seen in appearance due to age, gender, or subspecies.
Behavior
Varaldias spadefoot toad exhibits primarily nocturnal behavior, burrowing during the day in sandy or muddy environments, and emerging to forage at night. It's solitary outside of the breeding season. Notable is its unique defensive mechanism - when threatened, it inflates its body to deter predators.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Frogs and toads Family
European spadefoot toads Genus
European spadefoot toad Species
Varaldias spadefoot toad 
AI animal expert in your pocket
Scan QR code to download
