Desert Spadefoot Toad
Notaden nichollsi
Silhouette: Dmitry Bogdanov (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAmphibia (Amphibians)
- OrderAnura (Frogs and Toads)
- FamilyLimnodynastidae (Foam-nesting Ground Frogs)
- GenusNotaden (Spadefoot Frogs)
- SpeciesNotaden nichollsi (Desert Spadefoot Toad)
About the Desert Spadefoot Toad
The desert spadefoot toad (Notaden nichollsi) is a species of frog in the family Limnodynastidae. It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, intermittent freshwater marshes, hot deserts, and temperate desert.
This species will burrow communaly underground to survive the hot and arid climate of Australia to conserve energy and water. Notaden nichollsi is typically found sand dunes due to the water potential properties around the Southern Kimberly region of Western Australia, Northern Territory and into western Queensland. Notaden nichollsi was originally described by George Howard Parker in 1940 and is classified under the family Limnodynastidae, commonly known as Australian ground frogs. The genus Notaden, to which this species belongs, was established by Albert Günther in 1873 based on his early observations.
Notaden nichollsi undergo aestivation in burrows near the dune crests after rainfall during periods of water shortages. These burrows serve as shelters where the frogs can seek refuge during periods of extreme... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Desert Spadefoot Toad in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Desert Spadefoot Toad in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Desert Spadefoot Toad sighting in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Desert Spadefoot Toad in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Desert Spadefoot Toad in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in our monthly data.