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Hermit Spadefoot — Part 4
There is great variation in the arrangement of the colour. The bands of light may be so reduced as to give an irregularly spotted appearance merely. On the other hand, they may be so broad as to make the creature appear light-coloured banded with dark. The typical arrangement of the light is as follows: A curved or V-shaped band between the eyes anteriorly, with the bend pointing backwards; second and third larger, more elongated V-shaped bands more or less parallel to this, starting backward from the eyelids on the top of the head posteriorly and from the posterior angles of the eyes respectively. The third meets, in the midline of the back, oblique converging bands from the lower posterior sides. In addition, there are lateral bands from above the ear backward, and conspicuous short ones (usually seven in number) on the muzzle and side of the head and neck, extending from above downward to the line of the jaw.
When several of these Spadefoot Toads are kept in captivity, they protest noisily until they get accustomed to the new environment. The voice is low-pitched and harsh; the sounds are made both by the male and female. A vocal pouch, in the case of the male, expands not only at the throat region, but also at the sides--over the arm insertion and on the sides of the breast--giving the creature a broad ludicrous front.
Scaphiopus couchii was found breeding in the pools at Brownsville in July,1905.
Scaphiopus hammondii Baird (Spea hammondii Baird, and judging from the type specimens in the National Museum, Spea hammondii intermontana Cope, also. (Cope's Batrachia of North America.)
This Western Spadefoot resembles Scaphiopus couchii in having a tubercular skin and the parotoids either obscure or lacking. It differs in having a more pug-dog expression produced by the shorter, more truncate, and projecting muzzle; also, the ear is more obscure. There can never rise confusion in distinguishing it from Scaphiopus holbrookii or Scaphiopus hammondii bombifrons, both of which are comparatively smooth-skinned. The lack of parotoid glands and black granulations of the head will also distinguish it from Scaphiopus holbrookii, and it differs from bombifrons in having the cranium between the eyes flat instead of arched.
There is considerable variation in colouration and in size in the species. The pattern of dorsal lines may be present in whole or in part only, or may be obscured. The northern specimens attain a larger size than those in southern California and Texas.
This species, like the other Spadefoot Toads, is interesting because of its adaptation to existence in dry regions. It remains in subterranean burrows throughout the year except during continued or heavy warm rains. It is said to be very noisy during the breeding season. Young specimens were obtained from San Diego, California, in early April. They measure three-fourths inches long, having a blackish skin already covered with reddish warts, and feet that show the black horny spade well developed. They have the characteristic thick projecting muzzle and obscure tympanum.
Scaphiopus hammondii has been known to deposit its eggs in pools formed by heavy rains, in July and August. It is likely to appear in gardens and vacant lots in cities as well as in more isolated country places.