Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2429783
Western Spadefoot
Spea hammondiiAlso known as Western Spadefoot Toad, Hammond's Spadefoot, Hammond's Spadefoot Toad
Western spadefoots spend the majority of the year buried underground in self-dug burrows, emerging only after heavy winter rains saturate the soil. Breeds explosively in vernal pools and temporary rain puddles, where eggs hatch in just a few days to maximize survival before water sources evaporate. Black wedge-shaped spades on their hind feet allow them to burrow backwards rapidly into loose earth.
BurrowingNocturnalAmphibian
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Ants
- Earthworms
Predators
- Garter Snakes
- Herons
- Raccoons
ThreatsUrbanization, agricultural conversion, invasive predators, and vernal pool destruction
HabitatsGrasslands, coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, and gravelly floodplains
Life span10 to 12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyScaphiopodidae
- SpeciesSpea hammondii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Skin secretions can irritate eyes and mucous membranes; avoid handling and wash hands if contact occurs.
- Why it is dangerous
- Skin secretions contain mild toxins that cause sneezing, tearing, and burning if rubbed into eyes or nostrils.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by vertical cat-like pupils, smooth grey-green skin, and black spades on the hind feet.
- What to do
- Avoid picking up wild individuals; if touched, wash hands thoroughly before touching your face.
- What to notice
- Small grey or olive toad-like amphibian found near temporary rain pools in coastal and valley lowlands.
- Support conservation
- Keep a respectful distance from vernal pool basins to prevent trampling egg masses or underground burrows.
Responsible observation
- Rainy Night Searching: Look for active individuals on dirt roads or trail edges during warm winter rainfall.
- Listen for Vocalizations: Listen near temporary ponds for the males' distinctive snore-like mating calls.
- Minimize Stress: Observe from a distance to prevent disturbing soil around subterranean burrows.
Habitat Neighbor (c) Greg Schechter, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator 
Close Relative (c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) andrewnydam, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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