# Western Spadefoot (*Spea hammondii*) The Western Spadefoot is a small frog that loves to dig! It has special spade-like toes that help it burrow into the ground. These frogs are often found in sandy areas and come out when it rains. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert ![Western Spadefoot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spea_hammondii_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Takwish assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spea_hammondii_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Spadefoot has smooth, grayish-brown to olive skin, often with darker blotches and a pale belly. It possesses distinctive large, gold-rimmed eyes with vertical pupils, and a wedge-shaped, dark 'spade' on each hind foot for digging. Unlike true toads, it lacks prominent parotoid glands. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Scaphiopodidae - **Genus:** Spea ## Interesting facts - Their eggs can hatch super quickly, sometimes in less than a day! - These amphibians can absorb water right through their skin, no drinking needed! - They have vertical pupils, just like a cat's! - When stressed, some spadefoots smell like roasted peanuts or garlic! ## Special abilities - **Super Digger:** Western Spadefoot can rapidly burrow backwards into soil using hardened 'spades' on its hind feet to escape predators or dry conditions. - **Drought Dormancy:** Western Spadefoot can survive long droughts by aestivating deep underground, forming a protective mud cocoon to save water. - **Speedy Grow-Up:** Western Spadefoot tadpoles develop incredibly fast, sometimes in just a few weeks, to avoid drying out in temporary pools. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3.8-7.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.035 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-10 years - **Clutch Size:** 500-2000 - **Metamorphosis:** 21-70 days ## Diet & Feeding These hungry amphibians munch on small insects and other tiny creatures. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are omnivores, eating algae and detritus, while adults are carnivores, mainly insectivores. - **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Crickets, Ants, Spiders, Worms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes often prey on spadefoots near breeding ponds. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons forage for them, especially during wet nights. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — Adult spadefoots ambush crickets and other insects. - **Eats:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Dragonfly larvae prey on spadefoot tadpoles in ponds. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step when exploring nature, and don't touch frogs without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Spadefoot? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Western Spadefoot? 3.8-7.5 cm ### How much does Western Spadefoot weigh? 0.015-0.035 kg ### How long does Western Spadefoot live? 4-10 years ### What does Western Spadefoot eat? These hungry amphibians munch on small insects and other tiny creatures. ### Where is Western Spadefoot usually found? Desert ### How does Western Spadefoot hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Western Spadefoot lay? 500-2000 ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Western Spadefoot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-spadefoot)