The Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii) might not win any beauty contests, but it’s one of those secretive amphibians that’s full of surprises. Found mostly in California, this small toad spends much of its life underground and only comes out during rainy nights. What makes it stand out? Its ability to survive in dry climates by spending most of the year in dormancy — a survival strategy not all amphibians can pull off. It’s also got a unique spade-shaped foot that helps with digging, and yes, that’s where it gets its name.
Size & Physical Appearance
Western Spadefoots are on the smaller side. Adults typically measure between 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. They have gray, olive, or brownish-gray skin, often with irregular dark mottling or faint stripes — a great camouflage for their dry habitats.
Their skin is smoother than most true toads, and their bellies are usually pale and unmarked. Look closely and you’ll notice a distinct wedge-shaped “spade” on each hind foot — this dark, keratinized pad is used for digging backwards into the soil.
Males and females look pretty similar, though males may have darker throats and callus pads on their thumbs during breeding season. Juveniles resemble adults but are even smaller and paler.
Habitat and Range
Western Spadefoots live primarily in California, especially in the coastal ranges, central valleys, and parts of southern California. Their range extends slightly into northern Baja California in Mexico.
They prefer lowland grasslands, shrublands, and open woodlands, particularly areas with loose or sandy soil that’s easy to dig into. You’ll often find them in or near ephemeral pools — seasonal rain puddles that only stick around for a short time — because they rely on these for breeding.
They’re generally found at lower elevations, usually below 4,000 feet.
Diet
In the wild, Western Spadefoots eat mostly small invertebrates. Think ants, beetles, worms, spiders, crickets, and other insects. Their diet varies depending on what’s available — they’re not picky, just opportunistic.
Interesting twist: the tadpoles can be omnivorous or even cannibalistic, sometimes developing larger heads and jaws to eat other tadpoles when the pools start drying up, making a last push for survival before the water disappears.
Lifespan
In the wild, these toads generally live for about 6 to 10 years, though their lifespan can be shorter depending on drought conditions and habitat availability. In captivity, they can live a bit longer with steady care and conditions, though they’re not common pets due to their specialized needs and protected status in some areas.
Identification Tips
It’s easy to confuse the Western Spadefoot with other small toads, especially juvenile ones. Here’s how to tell them apart:
- Spade-shaped foot structure: This is the biggest giveaway — most true toads don’t have the glossy, wedge-shaped spade on their hind feet.
- Eyes: Look closely. Spadefoots have vertical (cat-like) pupils, while many lookalike toads have round pupils.
- Smoother skin: Compared to the bumpy skin of true toads, Spadefoots have smoother skin with finer granules.
- No pronounced parotoid glands: True toads have obvious toxin-releasing glands behind their eyes; Spadefoots have smaller, less noticeable glands.
If you’re near coastal or central California and it’s a rainy night, that little toad hopping around might just be a Western Spadefoot.
Fun Fact
Western Spadefoots can smell like peanut butter when they’re handled or disturbed! It may not be the tastiest defense, but it’s definitely one of the weirdest. That odor comes from chemicals they release as a mild deterrent to predators.
Plus, they’re amazing at surviving extreme drought. When the dry season hits, they’ll burrow underground and enter a state called “aestivation” — kind of like hibernation, but for heat and dryness instead of cold. They can stay underground for months at a time until the rains return.
If you live in or visit California and are lucky enough to hear a short, grating snore-like call on a rainy spring night, you might be listening to the secret life of a Western Spadefoot unfolding nearby. They’re a great example of how amphibians adapt to tough environments, and a reminder that even small, quiet creatures can have incredible survival stories.