description Plains Spadefoot Overview
The plains spadefoot, Spea bombifrons, is a burrowing amphibian native to the Great Plains and adjacent regions of North America. It uses a hardened, dark-edged structure on each hind foot to dig backward into loose soil, where it can remain during dry or cold periods. After heavy rain, adults may gather rapidly at temporary pools for explosive breeding, and the tadpoles can develop quickly because these shallow bodies of water often disappear within weeks.
help Plains Spadefoot FAQ
Why does the plains spadefoot have a spade on its hind foot?
Spea bombifrons has a dark, wedge-shaped structure on each hind foot that lets it dig backward into loose soil. The animal can use those burrows to escape dry or cold conditions. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/spadefoottoad.htm)
Where does the plains spadefoot live?
Its range covers much of the Great Plains, extending from parts of Canada through the western United States and into northern Mexico. It favours open grassland and loose sandy soil rather than dense woodland.
How does the plains spadefoot breed after rain?
Heavy rain creates temporary pools, and adults emerge to breed before those pools dry out. Eggs can hatch in roughly two to three days, allowing the tadpoles to develop quickly in short-lived water bodies. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spea_bombifrons/)
How is Spea bombifrons different from a western spadefoot?
The plains spadefoot is Spea bombifrons, while the western spadefoot is Spea hammondii. Their ranges and identifying features overlap in some parts of western North America, so the species name and distribution matter when identifying one.
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