Spadefoot Toads | Herps of Texas

Scaphiopus couchii

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Scaphiopus couchii

Common Name. Couch’s Spadefoot

General information. Scaphiopus couchii is nocturnal, but it is rarely seen without rain. It burrows deeply underground backwards using its hind feet.

Protected status. Couch’s Spadefoot is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Stout toad with NO boss between eyes (S. hurterii with boss) Vertical pupils. Skin covered with many small warts Hind limbs have single, sickle-shaped tubercle (a spade) on inner surface (tubercle is wedge-shaped in Spea).

Coloration. Dorsal coloration varies from bright green-yellow to brown-yellow with dorsal surface mottled with dark green, brown, or black markings White ventral surface.

General distribution. In North America, Scaphiopus couchii is found in the southwest United States extending into Mexico, including the Baja Peninsula.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Scaphiopus couchii is found throughout the western two-thirds of the state.

Habitat. Scaphiopus couchii prefers grassland prairies and mesquite savannas. It seeks shelter under fallen logs and is adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions.

Reproduction. Breeding in Scaphiopus couchii takes place from April to September following heavy rains. Eggs hatch within 36 hours and the tadpoles develop quickly, often metamorphosing into toadlets within two weeks.

Size. Scaphiopus couchii grows to an adult size of 6-11 cm (2.2-3.5 in).

Calls.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Scaphiopus hurterii

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Scaphiopus hurterii

Common Name. Hurter’s Spadefoot

General information. Scaphiopus hurterii is nocturnal, but is rarely seen without rain. It burrows deeply underground backwards using its hind feet.

Protected status. Hurter’s Spadefoot is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Stout toad with prominent boss between eyes (S. couchii without boss) Vertical pupils and skin covered with many small warts. Hind limbs have single, sickle-shaped tubercle, or spade on inner surface (wedge-shaped tubercle in Spea)

Coloration. Dorsal color varies from olive green to green-brown, or almost black. Two curved, light stripes present on dorsal surface Ventral surface white or pale gray.

General distribution. In North America, Scaphiopus hurterii is found in eastern Oklahoma and Texas, and western Arkansas and Louisiana.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Scaphiopus hurterii is found in the eastern half of the state.

Habitat. Scaphiopus hurterii is seen in wooded and savanna areas and is also found in the arid terrain of South Texas.

Reproduction. Breeding in Scaphiopus hurterii occurs from March to September following heavy rains. Eggs hatch within 48 hours and the tadpoles develop quickly, becoming small toadlets within two weeks.

Size. Scaphiopus hurterii can reach an adult length of 4-7 cm (1.7-2.5 in).

Calls.

Spea bombifrons

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Spea bombifrons

Common Name. Plains Spadefoot

General information. Spea bombifrons is nocturnal, but is rarely seen without rain. It burrows deeply underground backwards using its hind feet.

Protected status. The Plains Spadefoot is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Stout toad with prominent boss between eyes (absent in S. multiplicata) Vertical pupils Hind limbs have webbed toes and single, wedge-shaped tubercle, or spade on inner surface (sickle-shaped in Scaphiopus)

Coloration. Dorsal coloration varies from gray to brown, sometimes with four vague light-stripes running length of dorsum. Dark pigment may surround red or yellow warts on dorsum. White ventral surface.

General distribution. In North America, Spea bombifrons is found from Canada south through the Great Plains into northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Spea bombifrons is found in the Panhandle and the western tip of the state; a disjunct population is also present in far south Texas.

Habitat. Spea bombifrons makes its home in arid regions with loose soil, grasslands, and cultivated fields.

Reproduction. Breeding in Spea bombifrons takes place from May to August following strong rains. Eggs hatch within 48 hours and the tadpoles develop quickly into small toadlets, sometimes in less than two weeks.

Size. Spea bombifrons grows to an adult size of 4-7 cm (1.5-2.5 in).

Calls.

Spea multiplicata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Spea multiplicata

Common Name. Western Spadefoot

General information. Spea multiplicata is nocturnal, but is rarely seen without rain. It burrows deeply underground backwards using its hind feet.

Protected status. The Western Spadefoot is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Stout toad with NO boss between eyes (present in S. bombifrons) Vertical pupils Hind limbs have single, wedge-shaped tubercle, or spade on inner surface (sickle-shaped in Scaphiopus)

Coloration. Dorsal color varies from gray to brown, may also be green or almost black with orange or yellow tipped warts on back Four vague light-stripes may run length of dorsum. Ventral surface white or cream-colored.

General distribution. In North America, Spea multiplicata is found in the southwest United States and central Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Spea multiplicata is found in west Texas and the Panhandle.

Habitat. Spea multiplicata prefers arid regions with loose, sandy soil, grasslands, and cultivated fields.

Reproduction. Breeding in Spea multiplicata occurs from January to August with rain. Eggs hatch within 48 hours and the tadpoles develop quickly in young toadlets in less than 14 days.

Size. Spea multiplicata reaches an adult size between 4-7 cm (1.5-2.5 in).

Calls.