The Western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) is a relatively smooth-skinned species of toad. Its eyes are pale gold with vertical pupils. It has a green or grey dorsum often with skin tubercles tipped in orange, and it is a whitish color on the ventrum. It has a wedge-shaped black spade on each hind foot. Juveniles western spadefoot toads look similar to adults, but have more distinct spotting. Populations of Spea hammondii are localized, but widespread.
Ten Facts about Western Spadefoot
- It is usually 1.5 to 2.5 inches long.
- Spadefoot Toads can be found from north-central to southern California.
- They live in open loose soiled ground (typically coastal sandy areas). Cultivated land, prairies.
- The average life span for western spadefoot is about 12 years.
- They feed on insects, flies, moths, spiders... Tadpoles feed mainly on plants but also ants, they may become cannibalistic.
- The Spadefoot mates from January to August, usually after a heavy rain.
- After only 2 days, the eggs will begin to hatch and begin to transform into tadpoles.
- The eggs are laid in long cordons. There are up to 7000 eggs in the cord.
- They reach sexual maturity in their third year.
- Their biggest predators are Viperine snakes (Natrix maura), birds (Owls), Marbled newts (Triturus marmoratus) and aquatic insects eat the tadpoles.
