Plains spadefoot toad
A species of Western spadefoot toads Scientific name : Spea bombifrons Genus : Western spadefoot toads
Plains spadefoot toad, A species of Western spadefoot toads
Scientific name: Spea bombifrons
Genus: Western spadefoot toads
Content
Description General Info
Description
The plains spadefoot toad (Spea bombifrons) is a species of American spadefoot toad which ranges from southwestern Canada, throughout the Great Plains of the western United States, and into northern Mexico. Like other species of spadefoot toads, they get their name from a spade-like projections on their hind legs which allow them to dig into sandy soils. Their name, in part, comes from their keratinized metatarsals, which are wide instead of "sickle shaped". The species name...
General Info
Lifespan
10-13 years
Diet
Plains spadefoot toad is an insectivorous species, predominantly feeding on ants and beetles. Remarkably adaptive, it also consumes small arthropods and crustaceans when available, therefore showing flexibility in its dietary habits.
Appearance
Plains spadefoot toad is a small to medium-sized toad with a robust, rounded body and short limbs. It has warty, dry skin, primarily brown-grey or olive in color, often with dark blotches. This species possesses a distinctive shovel-like structure on the hind feet, useful for burrowing. Males and females exhibit size dimorphism, with females generally larger.
Behavior
Plains spadefoot toad, a nocturnal species, burrows into the ground during the day to avoid heat and predators. During their mating season, males gather around temporary pools to compete for mates in a cacophony of undulating calls. Famed for their ephemeral tadpole stage, they employ a fast metamorphosis to evade water source evaporation.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Frogs and toads Family
American spadefoot toads Genus
Western spadefoot toads Species
Plains spadefoot toad 
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