How Do Spadefoot Toads Live in a Desert?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do spadefoot toads live in a desert?

The Big Idea

Spadefoot toads live in a desert by burying themselves and waiting for rain! They sleep underground for months, even years, while the desert above them stays dry. When a big rain arrives, they race to make the next generation.

Dig a Spade

Step one: dig down. Each hind foot has a hard, sharp-edged spade used for digging, which is how the toad gets its name. The toad backs down into the soil and disappears.

Skin Cocoon

Step two: a skin cocoon. Underground, it wraps itself in a thin layer of dead skin that holds in moisture. It stays buried for months, even years.

Rain Party

Step three: a rain party. When a heavy rain arrives, the toads dig out, gather around temporary pools, and lay eggs. The tadpoles grow up in a couple of weeks before the water disappears.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The hard spade on each hind foot digs. The skin cocoon keeps in moisture. A heavy rain wakes the toads up. Then they lay eggs in the pools.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Spadefoot tadpoles grow very fast to beat the drying pool. Some spadefoots stay buried for most of the year, and they may feel the rain from underground. They come out mostly at night, when it is damp and cool. Wash your hands after touching any frog or toad.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Seal one damp sponge in a zip bag, and leave another one out in the open. Check both tomorrow. Which is still damp? A spadefoot's skin cocoon works like the bag! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Spadefoot toads wait underground for rain. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!