Couch's Spadefoot
Scaphiopus couchii
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAmphibia (Amphibians)
- OrderAnura (Frogs and Toads)
- FamilyScaphiopodidae (North American Spadefoots)
- GenusScaphiopus (Southern Spadefoots)
- SpeciesScaphiopus couchii (Couch's Spadefoot)
About the Couch's Spadefoot
Couch's spadefoot toad or Couch's spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) is a species of North American spadefoot toad (family Scaphiopodidae). The specific epithet couchii is in honor of American naturalist Darius Nash Couch, who collected the first specimen while on a personal expedition to northern Mexico to collect plant, mineral, and animal specimens for the Smithsonian Institution.
Unlike other toads which have horizontal pupils, spadefoot toads have vertical pupils. On the underside of the hind foot is a hard, dark "spade" that gives spadefoot toads their name. The length of this spadefoot ranges from 5.5 to 9 cm (2.2 to 3.5 in), and body color being yellow to yellow-green, with darker mottling. These "spades" are used by the toads to burrow into the ground to prevent water loss and hide from predators. There are two spadefoot species in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and California. Couch's spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus couchi) has a sickle-shaped "spade", whereas the western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) has a rounded "spade". Contrary to the name, spadefoots are not true toads
Couch's spadefoot is native to the United States southwest of southeastern... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Couch's Spadefoot in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 2 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Couch's Spadefoot in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Couch's Spadefoot sighting in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Couch's Spadefoot in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve?
September has the highest sighting rate for Couch's Spadefoot in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve in our monthly data.