AMPHIBIA AND REPTILIA OF COLORADO 5 1 



Family Pelobatidae 



The Western Spade-foot Toad is the only member of this family 

 found in Colorado. 



Genus SCAPHIOPUS Holbrook 

 Scaphiopus Holbrook, N. Am. Herpt., Vol. II, p. 85, 1842. 



Tympanic membrane present and external, although often quite 

 obscured; hind foot with an elevated tubercle near the heel. The 

 single species, S. hammondii Baird, has been reported from Colorado. 



Scaphiopus hammondii Baird 

 Western Spade-Foot Toad 



Scaphioptis hammondii Baird, RepL Pac. R.R. Survey, Vol. IV, Reptiles, pi. 

 28, fig. 2, 1859. 



Scaphiopus hammondi — Cary, N. Am. Fauna, No. 33, p. 27, 191 1 (Morris, 

 Colo.). 



Scaphiopus hammondi bombifrons — Dickerson, Frog Book, pi. ix, 1907 

 (Denver, Colo.). 



Characterized at once by the vertical pupil of the eye; parotoid 

 glands and tympanum quite obscure; length of the hind limb equal 

 to or slightly greater than the length of the head and body; distance 

 between the eyes equal to or slightly greater than the width of the eye ; 

 size medium to small, length less than three inches. 



Dorsal color yellowish brown, greenish brown or gray; with or 

 without two or more lighter stripes dorsally; usually with a dark 

 stripe back of each eye ; tubercles red or yellow, or tipped with red or 

 yellow; under parts whitish with a bluish or a reddish cast; throat 

 black in the male. 



Two subspecies of this toad may be recognized. 



a. Muzzle high, rather abruptly truncate; skin rather rough; west of the 



range S. h. hammondi Baird. 



aa. Muzzle rounded; skin quite smooth; east of the range. 



5. h. bombifrons (Cope). 



The Spade-foot Toads are of particular interest because of their 

 peculiar appearance and habits. They lead a rather solitary life in 



