Common spadefoot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Common spadefoot Temporal range: Lower Oligocene–Recent, 33.9–0Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Pelobates fuscus fuscus
Pelobates fuscus insubricus
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Pelobates
Species:	fuscus
Subspecies
P. fuscus fuscus P. fuscus insubricus
Synonyms
Bombinator fuscus Fitzinger, 1826 Bufo fuscus Laurenti, 1768 Pelobates fuscus fuscus Mertens, 1923 Pelobates fuscus insubricus Crochet and Dubois, 2004 Pelobates fuscus insubricus Mertens, 1923 Pelobates fuscus var. lividus Koch, 1872 Pelobates fuscus var. orientalis Severtsov, 1913 Pelobates fuscus vespertinus Crochet and Dubois, 2004 Pelobates fuscus Wagler, 1830 Pelobates praefuscus Khosatzky, 1985

Tadpole

The Pelobates fuscus, also known as the common spadefoot or garlic toad, is a type of toad. It belongs to the family Pelobatidae. You can find these toads in areas from Central Europe all the way to Western Asia.

What Does the Common Spadefoot Look Like?

These toads are not very big. Male common spadefoots grow to about 6.5 centimetres (2.6 in) long. Females are a bit larger, reaching up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in).

Their skin color can change. It depends on where they live, if they are male or female, and their region. Usually, their back is light-grey to beige-brown. They have darker marks that are different for each toad. Their belly is white, sometimes with grey spots. Very rarely, you might even see an albino common spadefoot.

Why Is It Called the Garlic Toad?

When the common spadefoot feels scared, it makes a very loud noise. It can also let out a special liquid from its skin. This liquid smells a lot like garlic! This is why one of its common names is the "garlic toad."

Where Do Common Spadefoots Live?

You can find Pelobates fuscus in several places. They live in the Posavina region. Scientists have found their Tadpoles and breeding spots in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Croatia, these toads live near the Mura, Drava, and Sava rivers.