Couch's spadefoot toad
A species of North american spadefoots Scientific name : Scaphiopus couchii Genus : North american spadefoots
Couch's spadefoot toad, A species of North american spadefoots
Scientific name: Scaphiopus couchii
Genus: North american spadefoots
Content
Description General Info
Photo By mdwarriner , used under CC0-1.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Couch's spadefoot toad or Couch's spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) is a species of North American spadefoot toad (family Scaphiopodidae). The specific epithet couchii is in honor of American naturalist Darius Nash Couch, who collected the first specimen while on a personal expedition to northern Mexico to collect plant, mineral, and animal specimens for the Smithsonian Institution.
General Info
Lifespan
5-10 years
Diet
The diet of couch's spadefoot toad is mainly composed of invertebrates, including insects and their larvae. It feeds primarily during wet periods, capitalizing on the abundant resources in its desert habitat.
Appearance
Couch's spadefoot toad is a small, robust amphibian with thick and dry skin. Its skin is primarily green or gray with dark spots or stripes, enhancing its camouflage ability. It has large, bulging eyes, and short, sturdy limbs equipped with hard, spade-like projections for burrowing. It also sports a concealed, pointed snout. There are no significant variations in appearance due to age, gender, or subspecies.
Behavior
Couch's spadefoot toad is predominantly solitary, emerging at night to forage for food and mate during rainy conditions. It exhibits exceptional burrowing phenomena, with extensive periods of dormancy during dry conditions, a key survival adaptation. Males are vocally territorial, using a distinctive call to attract females and discourage competitors.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Frogs and toads Family
American spadefoot toads Species
Couch's spadefoot toad 
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