Hurter's Spadefoot
Hurter's Spadefoot
Hurter's Spadefoot
In the south-central United States, Hurter's spadefoot lives a secluded life. These frogs, belonging to the spadefoot toad family, are unique for spending a considerable amount of time underground. Let's explore the amazing world of Hurter's spadefoot and learn about their future!
Hurter's Spadefoot Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scaphiopus hurterii |
| Taxonomic Status | SPECIES |
| Rank | Species |
| Vernacular Names | Hurter's spadefoot toad, Hurter's spadefoot |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Scaphiopodidae |
| Genus | Scaphiopus |
Hurter's spadefoot ( *Scaphiopus hurterii* ) is a frog species belonging to the genus Scaphiopus in the family Scaphiopodidae, found in the south-central United States.
They are about 4-6 cm long and have a stocky build.
Their back is gray or brown with dark spots.
Their belly is whitish and may or may not have spots.
They have a hard, keratinized spade on their hind feet, which they use like a shovel to dig burrows in the ground.
Hurter's Spadefoot Q&A
What kind of frog is Hurter's spadefoot?
Hurter's spadefoot inhabits a variety of environments in the south-central United States, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields, but they spend most of their time underground in burrows, rarely venturing to the surface.
They are nocturnal, becoming active at night to forage for insects and earthworms.
Why do Hurter's spadefoots burrow?
Hurter's spadefoots burrow to protect themselves from desiccation and predators.
They can quickly dig into the ground using their powerful hind legs.
Their burrows provide a humid and temperature-stable environment, allowing them to stay comfortable even in dry conditions.
Burrows also serve as hiding places from predators such as snakes and birds.
What sound do Hurter's spadefoots make?
Male Hurter's spadefoots have a distinct, high-pitched call, "kwaaaan".
This call is shorter and more monotonous compared to the calls of other spadefoot toads.
How do Hurter's spadefoots reproduce?
Hurter's spadefoots engage in explosive breeding behavior when the rains arrive.
They congregate in temporary pools formed by rainfall, and males attract females with their calls.
Females lay hundreds to thousands of eggs in the water, which are fertilized by the males.
The eggs hatch within a few days, releasing tadpoles.
Tadpoles must develop and undergo metamorphosis quickly before the pools dry up, leaving them with only a few weeks in their tadpole stage.
Are Hurter's spadefoots endangered?
Hurter's spadefoot is not currently considered endangered.
However, urban development, pesticide use, and climate change pose potential threats to their survival.
Protecting their habitat and preventing water pollution are crucial for their conservation.
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Hurter's Spadefoot References
Hurter's Spadefoot Introduction of media used
Stanley Trauth, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Glenn Bartolotti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Hurter's Spadefoot
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