Plains Spadefoot

Spea bombifrons

The Plains Spadefoot is a small, round frog that loves to dig in the dirt! They have special spade-like toes that help them burrow underground to stay safe and cool.

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Plains Spadefoot is a stout amphibian with smooth, moist skin, typically grey, brown, or olive, often marked with darker spots or stripes. It has large, prominent eyes with distinctive vertical pupils. A hard, dark, spade-like structure on each hind foot is its most unique visual feature.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseAmphibiaOrdenAnuraFamiliaScaphiopodidaeGéneroSpea

Plains Spadefoot

Categoría

Anfibios

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

As tadpoles, they can sometimes eat each other if food is scarce, growing stronger faster!

Plains Spadefoots make a loud, duck-like 'quacking' sound to find mates after a big rain!

Their eyes have spooky vertical pupils, just like a cat's, which helps them see in the dark!

They can stay buried underground for *years* if rainfall is too low, waiting for the perfect storm!

Habilidades especiales

Plains Spadefoot can rapidly dig backwards into soil using hard 'spades' on its hind feet that helps them escape predators and find shelter from heat and drought.

Plains Spadefoot tadpoles can grow incredibly fast, completing metamorphosis in as little as 18 days, because of hormonal regulation that helps them avoid drying out in temporary ponds.

Plains Spadefoot can absorb and store a large amount of water in its bladder and tissues that helps them survive long periods underground during droughts by conserving moisture.

Plains Spadefoot can secrete a mild, onion-scented substance from its skin that helps deter some predators, making them less tasty to eat.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 3.8-6.3 cm
Peso: 0.01-0.03 kg
Esperanza de vida: 6-12 años
Top Speed: 0.8 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 1000-2500
Metamorfosis: 18-60 días

Dieta y alimentación

These hungry amphibians mostly munch on insects and spiders, helping to control pesky garden bugs!

Diferencias por edad: Tadpoles eat algae and detritus; adults eat insects and spiders.

Alimentos principales

Beetles
Crickets
Grasshoppers
Spiders
Moths
Worms

Método de búsqueda

Ambush

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

A common predator in its range.

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Hunts amphibians during its nocturnal activity.

hunts

Fall Field Cricket

Gryllus pennsylvanicus

A common insect prey species.

hunts

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

Eats various ground-dwelling invertebrates.

Rasgos

Solitario

Los animales solitarios viven solos durante la mayor parte de su vida y solo interactúan con otros para aparearse o cuidar de sus crías.

Excavador

Los animales excavadores cavan túneles y cámaras en el suelo y utilizan estas estructuras subterráneas para refugiarse, cazar o reproducirse.

Insectívoro

Este rasgo identifica a los organismos cuya dieta consiste principalmente en insectos y otros pequeños invertebrados.

Pastizal

Los hábitats de pastizales son biomas terrestres dominados por pastos y plantas herbáceas, que sustentan a una variedad de animales de pastoreo.

Carnívoro

Este rasgo identifica a los organismos cuya dieta consiste total o principalmente en tejido animal.

Miniatura

Relativo a especies que son significativamente más pequeñas que lo típico o promedio de su tipo.

Amenazado

El estado de amenazado indica que es probable que una especie pase a estar en peligro de extinción en el futuro cercano si no se toman medidas efectivas de conservación.