Plains Spadefoot Toad

Currently, a single breeding population is known to exist within Yellowstone.

NPS

 

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Spea bombifrons

Identification

• A single breeding population has been identified in the Lower Geyser Basin east of Fairy Creek in Yellowstone National Park.
• Protruding eyes with vertical pupils, and a prominent bony boss (raised bump) between the eyes.
• Have a single, dark tubercle, or “spade,” on each of their hind feet.

Habitat

• Uses it’s spade to dig shallow summer burrows or deeper winter burrows. Newly metamorphosed animals may burrow in mud near its natal pond or hide in cracks in the hard earth.
• Typically occurs in warmer climates in the western United States. Scientists speculate that spadefoots are found in geothermally influenced habitat in Yellowstone because the warmer ambient conditions facilitate overwinter survival.

Behavior

• Breeds in ephemeral pools following significant rainfall.
• Tadpoles develop from eggs in two to six days.
• Produces cannibalistic and noncannibalistic tadpole body types.
• Tadpoles develop for three to six weeks before metamorphosis.