#mexican spadefoot toad

This dusty little individual is a Mexican spadefoot toad[Spea multiplicata], a species found throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States. These hardy little toads are adapted to life in the desert, and they spend much of their time burrowed in the ground to retain moisture. This toad was spotted by photographer Ricardo Arredondo T.

This shady individual is a Mexican spadefoot toad [Spea multiplicata] found after rain in Hueypoxtla, Mexico. These toads tend to be quite dark in coloration, ranging from deep brown to charcoal grey, occasionally with lighter colored spots on their dorsal side. Images by Zahir Santillan.

Behold the Mexican spadefoot toad [Spea multiplicata], a plum-sized burrower that looks like it never knows what to do with itself above ground. On it’s hind feet you’ll find a dark, firm projection- the titular “spade”. It uses this spade to burrow deep into the desert soil and avoid the heat of the day. Images by Sarah Bullard.

Party in the big puddle, everyone! These Mexican spadefoot toads [Spea multiplicata] were awakened from their dormant underground state by the seasonal rains. Like all Speatoads, tadpoles of this species develop extremely quickly, in order to escape their nursery puddle before it dries up completely. These toads were found in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by iNaturalist user Roomthily.

toadschooled:

Here we see a Mexican spadefoot toad [Spea multiplicata] sporting a large silver scar on his rear left hip. Like most toads, Mexican spadefoots are very hardy creatures. This toad was found in Animas, New Mexico, by Nick Dunham.

toadschooled:

ThisMexican spadefoot toad [Spea multiplicata] appears guilty of something, but I’m not sure what. These little desert dwelling toads can be found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. They’re most active during rain, breeding in temporary pools and catching insects before burrowing back into the soil. Images by iNaturalist user Leonday_jlda.