Scaphiopus couchii

[John]

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.

[Niels D]

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?

[John]

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.

[Niels D]

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!

[Niels D]

Last autumn there was a fellow keeper who didn't want his animals anymore so we bought them from him. We fed them well and they stayed in the newt and salamander room this winter, where they experienced temperatures of 10C. This week we put all of them in a tank with a terrestrial area and a aquatic area. It's standing outside and rain can fall into the pool area. It's pretty hot right now and we've had some rain. After they spent a couple of hours in the tank I could here the males call (what a sound!). This is what the tank looks like:


Yesterday we witnessed the following:

It's no guarantee, but it's a better sighn that I've seen so far!

[Kristen]

Goodluck! I hope your efforts are successful

[Tropicok]

Nice to see an article on spadefoots. I acquired a rescue spadefoot after a youngster captured one and then couldn't get it to eat. He took it to the local reptile store and the owner called me. I think it's a Plains spadefoot and I've never had a problem getting it to eat. Darling little critter. I do have to get it a bigger tank.
Alice