Text:
Anna i Lech
Krzysztofiak
Photos:
Lech Krzysztofiak
Drawings:
Anna Krzysztofiak
Webdesign:
KAJA
2003
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Spadefoot
Common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus)
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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
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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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