Amphibians
New Mexico Spadefoot
Spea multiplicata · also called New Mexico spadefoot toad
Within hours of the first heavy monsoon downpour, New Mexico spadefoots emerge from underground by the dozens, racing to breed in a pool that may not last more than a week or two before the desert reclaims it entirely.
Overview
The New Mexico spadefoot, Spea multiplicata, is a desert-adapted amphibian native to arid habitat across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its explosive, rain-triggered breeding activity and extraordinarily fast tadpole development make it one of the more finely tuned desert survival specialists among North American amphibians.
A life scheduled entirely around rain
For most of the year, the New Mexico spadefoot simply doesn’t exist above ground at all, waiting underground for the one specific weather event that makes its entire breeding strategy possible, then compressing an amphibian’s whole reproductive cycle into just a few frantic weeks.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable desert habitat throughout the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
New Mexico Spadefoot: common questions
Why does the New Mexico spadefoot only appear after it rains?
The New Mexico spadefoot spends most of the year dormant underground, conserving moisture and energy, and emerges in large numbers only after heavy summer monsoon rains create the temporary breeding pools it depends on, timing its brief above-ground activity to exactly the conditions that make breeding possible.
How fast do New Mexico spadefoot tadpoles develop?
New Mexico spadefoot tadpoles can develop at one of the fastest rates known among amphibians, an adaptation that allows them to complete metamorphosis and leave the water before a temporary desert pool dries up completely, since these pools may last only days or a few weeks.
What is the spade on a spadefoot's foot for?
A New Mexico spadefoot has a hard, sharp-edged structure called a spade on each hind foot, used to dig backward into loose desert soil, allowing the animal to bury itself quickly and remain hidden underground during the long dry stretches between rains.
Where does the New Mexico spadefoot live?
The New Mexico spadefoot is native to desert and semi-arid habitat across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, spending the vast majority of the year underground and emerging only during brief rain-triggered breeding windows.