Mexican Spadefoot

Spea multiplicata

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A small, stout-bodied toad that reaches 1.5-2.5 inches in length. It has a relatively large head with big, bulging eyes and vertical pupils. It has small bumps all over i…

How to identify

A small, stout-bodied toad that reaches 1.5-2.5 inches in length. It has a relatively large head with big, bulging eyes and vertical pupils. It has small bumps all over its skin, and is named for the hard, black, spade-like projections on its hind feet used for digging. Its background coloration is light tan, grey, or greenish with small dark spots all over its dorsum, often aligned with the skin bumps. Some spots are distinct while others are faded. It has a plump belly and a bi-lobed gular sac. Its ventrum is pale and unmarked.

Range

Large range throughout the southwest, including most of Arizona, southeastern Utah, southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, western Texas, and all of New Mexico. It stretches south through central Mexico.

Habitat

Spends most of its life buried underground, emerging nocturnally after summer monsoon rains to feed and breed in temporary rain pools.

Variations

Dark spot coloration ranges from brown to green, and some are highlighted with orange. Some individuals have large blotchy patterns on their backs, while others are very dark with subtle patterning.

Similar species

It used to be considered a subspecies of the western spadefoot (*Spea hammondii*), and it's similar to the plains spadefoot (*Spea bombifrons*), with which it will sometimes hybridize. It could also be confused with the red-spotted toad (*Anaxyrus punctatus*).