Family: Pelobatidae, Spadefoot Toads view all from this family

Description 1 1/2-2 1/2" (3.8-6.3 cm). A stout-bodied toad with round- to wedge-shaped spade on hind feet and prominent bony hump between eyes. External eardrum apparent. Skin relatively smooth with scattered small tubercles; gray to brown, often with overtones of green; tubercles orange. Usually light stripes on back are vaguely discernible. Belly white. Male throat bluish-gray on sides.

Voice   A dissonant grating note given at 1-second intervals; sometimes a hoarse trill lasting 1 second.

Breeding May to August, stimulated by rain. Eggs in masses of 10 to 200 are attached to submerged vegetation in shallow ponds, hatching within 48 hours. Tadpoles are omnivorous; transform within 2 months.

Habitat Shortgrass prairie where soil is loose and dry, rainfall low. Likes sandy and gravelly soils.

Range The Great Plains from s. Alberta and Saskatchewan se. through Montana to Missouri and c. Oklahoma, south through w. Texas and e. Arizona and into Mexico. Separate population in extreme s. Texas.

Discussion Nocturnal. A single sharp-edged spade on the inside of each hind foot pushes aside soil as the Spadefoot backs into the ground. Burrows may be a few inches to several feet long. They remain open but are difficult to locate in sandy soil. Occasionally, sticky matter is seen at the entrance, probably to cement soil in place and prevent burrow collapse.