Scaphiopus couchii

I've never bred them but I've spent a lot of time chasing spadefoots in the American Southwest. You really need to cycle them well for breeding success. That means a pretty cold winter, periods of moderate humidity and distinctly dry periods, and near the hottest part of the year they need a very heavy rain (like you wouldn't believe), and high humidity together with warmth to trigger breeding.

I've kept them cold and dry last winter. When it got hotter I made the tank more moist. I prepared a rainchamber and when a storm came I put them in it hoping I could trick them into amplexus. I didn't hear any calls though and they were all about the same size. I'm affraid they were all females. With my new youngster I hope to have a male. I'm going to try the same thing next year. I'm also trying to get more animals.

Isn't there anyone who has bred them?

Not many people keep them because they are a rare find (they only come out in tropical storms) and they have a (deserved) reputation as being poor pets.

I know. Most of the time they're burrowed in the soil. Only in spring and summer do they appear.... at night. It's pretty amazing to watch them eat though and I find them really beautifull. Look at these foxy ladies!