Great Basin Spadefoot
Spea intermontana
- Class
- Amphibian
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 1,350
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The Great Basin spadefoot (Spea intermontana) is an amphibian in the family Scaphiopodidae. It is 3.8 to 6.3 centimetres (1.5 to 2.5 in) long and is usually colored gray, olive or brown. Great Basin spadefoot toads have adapted to life in dry habitats. They use the hard, keratinized spade on each foot to dig a burrow, where they spend long periods during cold and dry weather. They are opportunistic hunters and will eat anything they can subdue. While their tadpoles have numerous predators, adults are able to produce skin secretions that deter enemies.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Great Basin spadefoot”.