Couch's
Spadefoot
Scaphiopus couchii
Body length: 2 1/4 - 3 1/2"
Diet: Arthropods, particularly termites
Couch's spadefoots are the original couch potatoes. For most of the year they
sit completely inactive in holes deep underground. Stimulated by the sound of
the first summer rains, spadefoots burrow upward and emerge into the wet desert.
Hopping to temporary pools created by the rain, the males call loudly to attract
females. Over 90% of breeding occurs on that first rainy night.
Following breeding, the eggs and larvae develop quickly, faster than any other
American frog or toad. In warm water eggs hatch within 15 hours. While some frog
tadpoles take over a year to develop, spadefoot tadpoles metamorphose into toads
in 11 - 12 days, often only hours ahead of the drying pools. Scientists have determined
that this remarkable toad is capable of eating enough food in one evening --up
to 55% of its body weight, usually in termites -- to enable it to survive an entire
year! The "spade" located on each rear foot is a small knob which helps
this species dig more efficiently.
NPS
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Updated
May 8, 2005