An intriguing species of toad found widely across Europe, particularly known for its unique adaptations to a burrowing lifestyle. This toad earns its name from a distinctive spade-like projection on its hind feet, which it uses to dig into the soil. This feature is particularly well-developed and enables the spadefoot to escape predators and extreme weather by burrowing quickly into the ground.
Common spadefoots are medium-sized toads, typically reaching about 6 to 8 centimeters in length. Their appearance is somewhat subdued compared to more brightly colored amphibians; they exhibit a range of earthy tones from gray to brown, which helps them blend seamlessly into their predominantly terrestrial habitats. The skin of the common spadefoot is smoother than that of most toads and secretes a mild toxin that deters some predators.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the common spadefoot’s behavior is its explosive breeding strategy. These toads spend much of their life underground, but they emerge en masse after heavy rains, which is the signal for them to gather in temporary pools to breed. This event can be so sudden and numerous that it appears as if the toads have sprung up out of nowhere. Females lay thousands of eggs, which hatch within a few days into tadpoles. The tadpoles of the common spadefoot are unique in their rapid development, transforming into toadlets sometimes in as few as two weeks to ensure their survival before their temporary aquatic habitats dry up.
The diet of the common spadefoot includes a variety of invertebrates such as insects, worms, and slugs, which they catch using their sticky tongues. Their ability to consume pests makes them beneficial to agriculture by naturally controlling pest populations. However, their burrowing and nocturnal habits mean they are seldom seen by humans.
Distribution
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Moldova
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Official estimate
UkraineAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size)/ Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
