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SPADEFOOT TOAD
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Spea bombifrons
House NAME: "Shada"
HABITAT: Primarily the grasslands of central North America
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
FUN FACT: This toad can survive dry conditions by burrowing into moist ground. The toad uses its "spades" on the back of each hind leg to scoop out soil as it spirals backwards into the ground.
DIET: Beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, ants, and other small invertebrates. Under crowded conditions, larvae have been known to cannibalize each other.
DIET: These toads have moist skin, round snouts, and eyes that are vertically slit when exposed to strong light. The most distinguishing characteristic of all spadefoot toads is the black spur located at the base of each hind foot. In color, this species is light to medium gray with irregular dark markings, and two poorly defined light lines down the back. The belly is white. Males have a dark throat, and females have a heavier body type than males. The call is a nasal sawing sound, or the sound of squeaky new shoes. Adults reach lengths of 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
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