Puneet Varma (Editor)

New Mexico spadefoot toad

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Kingdom
  
Suborder
  
Mesobatrachia

Genus
  
Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Frog

Class
  
Family
  
Scaphiopodidae

Scientific name
  
Spea multiplicata

Rank
  
Species

Symbol of
  
New Mexico

New Mexico spadefoot toad Mexican Spadefoot Spea multiplicata Amphibians of Arizona

Similar
  
Spea, Plains spadefoot toad, American spadefoot toad, Frog, Couch's spadefoot toad

The new mexico spadefoot toad call chorus


The New Mexico spadefoot toad (Spea multiplicata) is a species of American spadefoot toad found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other species of spadefoot toad, they get their name from a distinctive spade-like projections on their hind legs which enable them to dig in sandy soils. Some sources also refer to the species as the Mexican spadefoot toad, desert spadefoot toad or southern spadefoot toad.

Contents

New Mexico spadefoot toad State Amphibian of New Mexico Spadefoot toad

Description

New Mexico spadefoot toad Mexican Spadefoot Spea multiplicata Amphibians of Arizona

The New Mexico spadefoot toad grows from 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length, and has a round body, with relatively short legs. They are green, to grey, to brown, usually reflecting the soil color of their native habitat, often with black and orange colored speckling on their back, and a white underside. They have large eyes, with vertical pupils.

Behavior

New Mexico spadefoot toad New Mexico Spadefoot Toads For Sale Underground Reptiles

Like all species of spadefoot toad, the New Mexico spadefoot toad is nocturnal and secretive. If handled, these frogs might emit a peanutlike odor, which can cause tearing and nasal discharge if in close contact with the face. Spending most of its time buried in the ground, the spadefoot emerges during periods of summer rainfall to feed on insects and to breed. Breeding takes place in temporary pools left by the rain. Eggs laid in large masses, often hatch in as little as 48 hours. The tadpoles are forced to metamorphose quickly, before the water dries up.

Taxonomy

New Mexico spadefoot toad httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

The species was once classified as a subspecies of the western spadefoot toad, Spea hammondii, but distinctive morphological characteristics led researchers to reclassify it as its own species. The New Mexico spadefoot toad is also known to hybridize with the Plains spadefoot toad, Spea bombifrons in the areas where their ranges overlap, making distinguishing the species from each other difficult.

Trivia

  • The New Mexico spadefoot toad is the Official State Amphibian of New Mexico.
  • References

    New Mexico spadefoot toad Wikipedia


    Similar Topics