Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2429791
Great Basin Spadefoot
Spea intermontanaAlso known as Great Basin Spadefoot Toad
Great Basin spadefoots survive harsh desert environments by spending months underground inside self-dug burrows, emerging primarily during warm rainy nights. A black keratinized spade on each hind foot enables rapid backward digging into sandy or gravelly soils. During spring and early summer rains, males gather around temporary pools to attract mates with loud, quacking vocalizations.
NocturnalAmphibianBurrowing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Ants
- Spiders
Predators
- Coyotes
- Owls
- Garter Snakes
ThreatsHabitat loss, road mortality, agricultural development, and prolonged drought
HabitatsArid sagebrush shrublands, desert scrub, grasslands, and pinyon-juniper woodlands
Life span10–13 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyScaphiopodidae
- SpeciesSpea intermontana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Night Searches: Scan desert roads and damp wash margins on warm spring nights following rainfall.
- Listen for Calls: Locate breeding pools by listening for loud, duck-like quacking chorus calls.
- Wash Hands: Avoid touching eyes after handling because their skin secretions can cause irritation.
Desert Cousin (c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) · cc-by
Co-occurring Amphibian (c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Dustin Snider, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dustin Snider · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
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