Great Basin Spadefoot

Range

Ranges from south central British Columbia down through eastern Washington and Oregon, southern Idaho, southwest Wyoming, most of Nevada and Utah, and some adjacent areas in California, Arizona, and Colorado.

Habitats

Found in a wide variety of habitats within its range, including forests, shrubland, grasslands, sagebrush flats, deserts, and agricultural areas. It spends most of the year burrowed underground and emerges after heavy spring rains to breed in slow-moving streams, springs, and manmade reservoirs.

Identification

A plump, round toad with a short snout and large bulging eyes with vertical pupils. Its skin is mildly bumpy and it averages 4-6 cm in body length. Its background coloration is mid-toned adorned with dark spots and splotches, as well as wavy, undefined light stripes down its back that create an hourglass shape. It has a hard black protrusion on the bottom of each hind foot to aide in digging. Ventrum is mostly pale and unmarked with some dark coloration on the throat and groin.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians