AMPHIBIANS

  

 Frogs
 Newts
 Toads
 Tree frog
 Fire-bellied
 toad
 Spadefoot
 Role
 and protection
 WNP home

  

Text:
Anna i Lech
Krzysztofiak

Photos:
Lech Krzysztofiak

Drawings:
Anna Krzysztofiak

Webdesign: 
KAJA
 
2003

  

  

  

Spadefoot

  

Common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus)

SPADEFOOT Pelobates is represented in the area of Poland by only one species - common spadefoot Pelobates fuscus. It is found in the central and Eastern Europe, while in Poland it is met commonly but not in large quantities. It is usually observed in lowland areas, especially in forests and gardens. It prefers areas which lighter, sandy soils and it avoids hard grounds. It is quite scarce in the area of the Wigry National Park and it is mainly observed in the vicinity of small, field-water ponds for example in the area of the following villages: Rosochaty Róg, Królówek and Kaletnik.

  

  

  

  

  

A couple of common spadefoots in the amplexus

Common spadefoot is a smallish amphibian (approximately 8 centimetres long) with a relatively large head and a stocky body. It is covered with a smooth, thin skin, lacking any rough, harsh glands. However, it possesses glands, which are located deep in the skin and which - when irritated - secrete a substance with the garlic scent; that is why it is sometimes called garlic frog. Tympanic membrane is not present at this species. Common spadefoot as the only species of our amphibians possesses vertical pupils of eyes. Another characteristic feature for common spadefoot includes well developed heel calluses (light-yellow or light-brown pachynses on the outer surface of heels), thanks to which common spadefoot is capable of burying itself in the ground very effectively.

  

Pigmentation of common spadefoot exhibits high changeability; in general the dorsal part of the body is usually pigmented with grey-yellow colour with large, irregular spots of dark-brown colour, while the ventral part of the body is pigmented with the creamy-white colour. Males do not have resonators and mating calluses - there is only an oval gland in the inner side of the forearm.

  

Nourishment of common spadefoot

Common spadefoot wakes up from hibernation in March or at the beginning of April. It travels to its mating areas mainly by night but when the temperature drops down to 0°C, the travelling is stopped. Mating takes place in water reservoirs from March to May. Males call females uttering sounds underwater which are barely audible. Mating common spadefoots are very secretive - both before creating couples and then after that they stay mainly at the bottom of the pond. What is uncommon among amphibians, both males and females are capable of uttering mating sounds. At the moment of creating a couple, a male embraces a female by her groins.

  

  

  

  

Frogspawn in the form of twisted rolls with the length ranging from 0.4 to 1 meter and with the thickness of approximately 2 centimetres is attached to water plants and sometimes placed directly on the bottom of the water reservoir. Eggs are dark - cinereous from one side and light-creamy-white on the other side. Tadpoles of common spadefoot are the largest among tadpoles of all our amphibians - they can even reach the length of 10-18 centimetres however, after transformation young persons are only 3-4 centimetres long. Common spadefoot hibernates in land in burrows, which it digs itself. Sexual maturity is reached after 2-4 years and it lives up to 11 years.

  

Natural foes of common spadefoot

  

  

During the larvae period of life, common spadefoot feeds mainly on petty, alive and dead animals and then in hunts earthworms, spiders and insects (including potato - beetle).

  

Natural foes of common spadefoot include the following species: some owls, buzzards, foxes and hedgehogs.

  

The basic form of protection of both common spadefoot and fire-bellied toad is connected with protection of areas of their reproduction - small, field-water ponds. Both fire-bellied toad and common spadefoot are subject to strict protection in the area of Poland.

 

   

   

 

  

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