Western Spadefoot toad, Pelobates cultripes (Cuvier, 1829)
History and origin
The Western Spadefoot toad was first described by Cuvier in 1829, the scientific name of this species is Pelobates cultripes. Pelobates in Greek is composed of two words, the first meaning 'mud' and the second meaning to 'walk' this name is more appropriate to the Parsley frog (Pelodytes sp.). Cultripes is Latin and is also composed of two words, the first meaning 'knife' or 'blade' and the second meaning 'foot'.
Characteristics
This species is characterised by their dark nail-like spade on the back of their hind legs.
Description
=Size=
- Eggs: The eggs are about 3 to 4 mm in diameter, laid in a cord and this is about 20 mm thick and up to 1 m long.
- Tadpoles: The tadpoles measure 5 mm long when they hatch, growing up to 80/100 mm long (max. 220 mm long!).
- Juveniles: The juveniles measure 20 to 40 mm long when they exit the water.
- Adults: Adults measure up to 110 mm long max. (males ave.: 90 mm ; females ave.: 110 mm).
=Morphology=
- Eggs: The eggs are laid in long cordons. There are up to 7000 eggs in the cord and they are arranged in an unordered fashion inside the cord.
- Tadpoles: They are very large, their eyes are very distant from one another. They have a large tail finishing in a point.
- Adults: They are a very large bulky toad with huge limbs, large head and eyes. Their skin is quite smooth, although often there are minor warts, but these are discrete. Their pupils are vertical. On the back of the lower hind legs there is a nail-like formation often referred to as a blade or spade (Spadefoot toads, this is where they get their name from). they have no paratoid glands, no vocal sac. their feet have very complete webbing. =Patterns & colours=
- Eggs: They are small black embryos inside a transparent cordon.
- Tadpole: They can be gray, greenish, brownish, yellowish... Their belly is whitish. Their tail is light in colour.
- Adult: This species pattern is made up of broken up blotches and irregular scattered spots, sometimes they may have larger blotches sometimes producing a doral line. These blotches are often dark gray, brownish, dark olive, olive. the background colour is lighter being yellowish, light olive, light brown... their eyes are golden, their belly is white. Their blade on the hind legs is black.
Geographical range They are found throughout the Iberian peninsula except for the northern coast, in France they are found along the 9/10 of the Mediterranean coast line, up in the Rhône valley. A second population which is isolated can be found along the western coast from around Bordeaux north until Nantes.
Subspecies
None described.
Sexual differences
Females are larger. Males front legs are larger. Males have during the breeding season an oval gland on their front legs. Males tend to be more yellowish whereas females are more greyish.
Seasonal variations
Males oval gland varies in size being almost unnoticeable outside of the breeding season. During the aquatic phase, the coloration becomes darker and the patterns are less visible.
Diet
They feed on insects, flies, moths, spiders... Tadpoles feed mainly on plants but also ants, they may become cannibalistic.
Defensive habits
They will often stand their ground and puff themselves in front of an enemy, sometimes even biting. They may emit a high toned distress call.
Reproduction
All the reproductive cycle starts in February-April as soon as there are good conditions (air= 9 to 16 C; 80 to 100 % humidity). Often starts after a short period of heavy rain. The first clutches of eggs are seen in late April. This happens in and around pools, ponds and lakes. The male sits in the water and sings out to the female who finds the male and mating can begin. The mating can occur in the water or at the edge.
Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Pelobates cultripes is about 12 years, they reach their sexual maturity in their third year.
Habits
Active at night. They come out from their hiding about 2 to 3 hours after sunset, they prefer when there is no wind and quite a humid atmosphere. Studies show that more specimens emerge when there is no moonlight. Often easily seen after rain. By day they hide in holes and ditches that they dig themselves by using their spade shaped feet combined with their technique and strength.
Call
A repeated quiet 'co-co-co' called from under the water, the call resembles the sound made by hens. Females also may call, sound (p)www.oreilleverte.com:
Habitat
They live in open loose soiled ground (typically coastal sandy areas). Cultivated land, prairies.
Predators
Their biggest predators are Viperine snakes (Natrix maura), birds (Owls), Marbled newts (Triturus marmoratus) and aquatic insects eat the tadpoles.
They are found throughout the Iberian peninsula except for the northern coast, in France they are found along the 9/10 of the Mediterranean coast line, up in the Rhône valley. A second population which is isolated can be found along the western coast from around Bordeaux north until Nantes. 
Western Spadefoot toad, Pelobates cultripes - © Daniel Phillips
