The clawed toad attains a length of three inches. Its smooth skin is 
covered with tubelike structures, said to have sensory functions. The upper 
parts are colored an olive-brown; the stomach is whitish and sometimes 
spotted with brown. 
Only such calamities as the drying up of a pool or a shortage of food 
will compel the clawed toad to leave the water. 
In captivity the clawed toad proves its hardiness, requiring no special 
temperature arrangement. It eagerly pounces upon the worms and bits 
of meat which are fed to it. 
In one South African hospital physicians use these toads in preg¬ 
nancy tests. 
SPADE-FOOT TOADS 
When first unearthed, the burrowing spade-foot, or hermit toad, looks like 
a small ball of brown earth. But then it expels the air from its lungs and 
the deflated sides collapse like a punctured balloon. Two elevations appear 
at the smaller end and become discernible as round, staring eyes of bril¬ 
liant gold. Awkward hands are lifted, one at a time, and rubbed over the 
eyes. 
Awake and alert after this lazy operation, the hermit toad begins to 
consider escape. It neither plays dead nor makes sudden leaps but, if per¬ 
mitted, simply begins sinking out of sight into the soft earth until it finally 
disappears. Its disappearing act is no miracle; it is the work of two efficient, 
spadelike hind legs which may dig the little creature as far down as three 
feet below the surface. 
The recluse generally burrows a six-inch hole in which it leads a 
lonely life. Only during the breeding season does it venture forth, the 
males calling in a loud chorus and the females responding in low grunts. 
Instinctively, the young toad emerging from the tadpole stage begins 
burrowing in the ground. In fact, if it is unable to get out of the water 
after reaching maturity, it drowns. 
The hermit spade-foot is green, yellow or ashy brown, and may have 
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