Western Spadefoot
Spea hammondii
![[Western Spadefoot]](/images/139ds.jpg)
Description
Distribution Range
General range map taken from CWHR.
Typical Elevation
We do not yet have enough records from distinct localities to calculate typical elevation. We need 25 more distinct localities.
Additional Information
Notes
A museum record for this species in Shasta County does seem to exist (Jennings and Hayes 1994 pg 94-95) but I have not yet been able to locate it.
This species has been extirpated from much of its former range. Current status in Shasta County is unknown, it may have been extirpated here.
Images
Unless otherwise noted, all images are of wild specimens in Shasta County.
Please be kind, do not hotlink images and do not use images without permission of the copyright owner.
![[Western Spadefoot]](/images/139sm.jpg)
©Rob Schell
Adult. Notice the vertical pupils that readily distinguish this species from Western Toads. Santa Clara County, CA.
Courtesy of CalPhotos
![[Western Spadefoot]](/images/140sm.jpg)
Habitat Shots
Unless otherwise noted, these habitat shots are from within Shasta County where this species is known to occur.
There currently are no images to display.
Similar Species
Western Toad
The Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas) has round pupils, very pronounced parotoid glands, and with the exception of young, a distinct white dorsal stripe.
Species of Special Concern
This species is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the State of California Department of Fish & Game.
If you come across this species, please note that it may be a violation of state law to collect it or even touch it. Federal laws may also apply.
If you can, please do the following:
- Accurately record the location where the animal was found. The best way to do this is with a GPS device.
- Photograph the specimen. Take as many photographs as you can without causing too much stress to the animal.
- Take note of the habitat and its condition. Photographs are good for this, but do not always tell the entire story.
- Take note on any possible threats to the population. For example, if it is one of our threatened native frog species, is there an American Bullfrog population in the immediate vicinity? Are you aware of an American Bullfrog population in a nearby aquatic system? What about erosion? Introduced trout?
- Report the sighting to the California Natural Diversity Database.
It takes a little effort to file a report, but your report may help the necessary agencies protect that population. It is difficult for them to protect populations they do not know about or populations they think are extirpated. Even species of special concern that are currently doing well in Shasta County should be reported. When population declines happen, they tend to happen very fast. Reports of specific localities where a species is known to have occured may help researchers determine survey sites if our population of one of these species does crash.
![[Save The Frogs]](http://savethefrogs.com/images/banners/banner-its-up-to-you.jpg)
