Plains Spadefoot
Their distinct "kazoo" call and "worried Kermit" face define this medium-sized toad.
About This Species
Pupil vertically elongated (like a cat) in bright light; a single hard, wedge-shaped spade on each hind foot; hard lump between eyes, slightly forward of an imaginary line crossing the middle of both eyes; upper side often with a roughly hourglass-shaped marking (four light lines; often absent in smaller individuals). Mature male: Dark patches on inner 2–3 toes of front feet during the breeding season; expanded vocal sac slightly two-lobed.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Adult head and body length up to about 6 cm (2.4 inches).
Range
Plains of eastern Colorado and the San Luis Valley. Probably occurs in the valley lowlands of western Montezuma County. Common.
Habitat
Breeds in pools and stock ponds filled by heavy rains, in plains grassland, sandhills, or semidesert shrubland.
Reproduction
Breeding call
A brief snore, much faster than the long, stuttering snore of the New Mexico spadefoot.
Larvae
Upper side brown or green to whitish, or mottled gray and dull olive yellow, usually of pale appearance, sometimes with bluish iridescence; upper tail fin clear or with sparse yellowish and gray mottling/flecks; lower fin clear or mainly clear with sparse yellow flecks; body globular; eyes close together on top of head; belly iridescent golden, gut coil not visible (large larvae); jaws frequently cusped, lower jaw not striated; jaw muscles sometimes greatly enlarged and may bulge from the sides of the face in front of the eyes; usually 3-4 rows of tiny teeth on upper lip and 4 rows on lower lip; usually up to 7 cm (2.8 inches) total length, sometimes up to 9.5 cm (3.7 inches).
Eggs
Deposited in elliptical masses of about 10–250, attached to submerged plants or other objects. Life History: Spends most of its life buried in the soil. Emerges to breed after heavy rains in spring or summer. Larvae develop quickly and metamorphose into small toads usually within 3-10 weeks.