Added 12 January 2023.
The Pelobatidae are an older family of anurans, belonging to the order Archeobatrachia ("old" or "ancient" frogs). Today they are found in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and Asia. Former members of the family in North America have now been put into their own family, the Scaphiopodidae. Although one authority describes the Pelobatidae as having over 100 species, the current consensus strictly limited the family to just the 4 species of Pelobates. However, more recent studies (as of 2022) have assigned or revalidated two new species, P. balcanicus and P. vespertinus. The Common Spadefoot is a very widely distributed species.
Pelobatidae are distinguished by their toad-like appearance, a relatively large head with prominent eyes, and a metatarsal tubercle that is usually enlarged and so formed as to resemble a sort of spade (hence the common name "spadefoots"). This tubercle is quite sharp and used for digging the toad backwards into hiding below the surface: after it has done this, usually few visible traces are left of its former presence on the surface. The head is heavily ossified and helps the animal force its way up to the surface again. Two other characteristics which help to externally distinguish the family are the lack of both parotid glands and typanum (the round ear found in most anurans). As a rule these are shy creatures which normally are only found moving around at night. All of them are usually found in areas of sandy soil.
|
P. balcanicus, Balkan Spadefoot |
P. cultripes, Western Spadefoot |
P. fuscus, Common Spadefoot |
|
P. syriacus, Eastern Spadefoot |
P. varaldii, Varaldi's Spadefoot |
P. vespertinus, Pallas' Spadefoot |
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Distribution |
Size |
Notes |
|
Family PELOBATIDAE |
||||
|
Pelobates |
||||
|
Balkan Spadefoot |
|
|
|
|
|
P. b. balcanicus |
|
|
|
|
|
P. b. chloeae |
Chloe's Spadefoot |
|
|
|
|
Western Spadefoot |
W France, Iberia |
11 cm |
The Western Spadefoot and Eastern Spadefoot differ from the Common Spadefoot mainly in their sizes and the shape of the "spade" (growth to aid digging, hence the common name of the genus) on the back of the hind leg. Otherwise see above for natural history. |
|
|
Common Spadefoot |
France east to Siberia: not Iberia |
8 cm |
One of the most widely distributed toads in Europe. Despite its clumsy appearance the Common Spadefoot is an agile mover on land and a good swimmer. Being nocturnal and something of a digger, it is not encountered widely but is actually fairly widespread. The Spadefoot will bury itself in dykes, loose forest soil and even tilled fields and gardens, although the best place to find them is around shallow ponds in low-lying country at night. The toads bury themselves at light, often to a depth of 1 metre. Diet consists of insects, worms and molluscs. The aquatic phase of this toad is April-June, but it leaves the water as soon as the eggs have been laid. Males make guttural sounds during breeding. The females lay several thousand eggs each in the form of wide gelatinous bands. At a maximum of 18 cm, the tadpoles are the largest in Europe. Like many amphibians the Common Spadefoot can secrete a defensive substance from its skin glands if threatened (eg picked up!): this apparently smells like garlic. It will also squeak in protest. |
|
|
Eastern Spadefoot |
Balkans, W Asia |
8-10 cm? |
The Western Spadefoot and Eastern Spadefoot differ from the Common Spadefoot mainly in their sizes and the shape of the "spade" (growth to aid digging, hence the common name of the genus) on the back of the hind leg. Otherwise see above for natural history. |
|
|
P. s. syriacus |
|
|
|
|
|
P. s. boettgeri |
Anatolian Spadefoot |
|
|
|
|
Varaldi's Spadefoot Toad, Moroccan Spadefoot [F Pélobate de Varaldi, Pélobate marocain: D Varaldis Messerfuß-Scheibenzüngler] |
W Morocco |
TL 7cm (f), 6½cm (m) |
Similar in appearance and habits to the European species: was once considered part of P. cultripes. However it is more completely nocturnal than its European relatives. It inhabits lowland regions with loose sandy soil, including forest. Aestivation takes place from April onwards until October (winter), when feeding and reproduction both occur. KKS note that the population is diminishing due to intensive pasturing of cattle. Description: skin glossy, smooth or granular; pustules on eyelid and back, especially posteriorly; head broad, with short vertical snout; nostrils visible from above; eyes very prominent; pupil lens-shaped, vertical; tympanum hidden; foot webbed, with pronounced long and high, dark-bordered metatarsal tubercle. Coloration: dorsally dark brown or with maroon patches on a marbled background with greyish-beige veins; dark spots vary in size and shape, but roughly symmetrical on anterior part of body; red spots present on upper eyelids or on entire dorsal surface; ventrally whitish, often mottled with dark brown. Iris is red when viewed frontally but metallic greyish-green from above or below and vivid metallic green from anterior or posterior view, this being more pronounced in juveniles. Reproduction: commences during the rainy season in October. Couples breed in temporary ponds and rain puddles, remaining submerged for several days and breathing only through the skin. The female lays several thousand eggs in a gelatinous "hull": the hatchlings appear about 1 week later but remain attached to this structure. The tadpoles may reach a maximum of 13cm - twice as large as an adult. Metamorphosis takes place from April to June. Juveniles are initially olive grey, with dark spots appearing some days later [SOURCE: KKS]. |
|
|
P. vespertinus |
Pallas' Spadefoot |
|
|
|
Collins Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe, E N Arnold, J A Burton and D W Ovenden, HarperCollins, London 1978. For years this has been an invaluable guide to the English speaker, although a few of the taxonomic details were in need of revision. This was finally accomplished with the revised edition of 2002/4.
Lurche und Kriechtiere Europas [Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe], Dr Wolf-Eberhard Engelmann, Jürgen Fritzsche, Dr sc. Rainer Günther and Dipl.Biol. Fritz Jürgen Obst, Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart 1986. A German-language equivalent but with a rather wider definition of Europe which includes the Transcaucasus, and useful details on the distribution of subspecies. Now apparently out of print.
Die Amphibien Europas, Andreas and Christel Nöllert, Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 1992. Outstanding nature guide to every species of amphibian found in Europe.
Amphibians and Reptiles of North Africa, W Kästle, H H Schleich and K Kabisch, Koeltz Scientific Books, Germany 1996. Outstanding review of N African herpetofauna giving detailed account of each species.
“Call a spade a spade: taxonomy and distribution of Pelobates, with description of a new Balkan endemic”, Christophe Dufresnes, Ilias Strachinis, Elias Tzoras, Spartak N. Litvinchuk, Mathieu Denoël, ZooKeys 859:131-158 (2019).
Back to European Herps | Amphibians | Reptiles | Back to Home Page