Buried underground, spadefoot toads spring back to life as the first raindrops begin to fall
These amphibians can spend a decade beneath desert soil only to emerge when conditions are right
Buried deep beneath the parched desert soils near Kamloops, BC, a female spadefoot toad waits for her moment — the sounds of a specific alarm clock — raindrops.
Spadefoots eke out a living in some of Canada's driest habitats. They spend most of their time buried underground where they absorb moisture from the soil and hide from the sun to avoid drying out. They can lay dormant like this for up to 10 years!
When the spring rains finally arrive, this spadefoot toad digs her way out to welcome it. But she has to act quickly. Other spadefoots are emerging too and making their way to a small pond that won't be around for long. With male toad already calling mates, she breeds and lays her eggs.
Her offspring have to grow fast — they only have a small window to develop into tadpoles and then young spadefoots before their pond dries up. Mom returns to her underground lair, to lay in wait for the next rainfall.
Watch the video above for the full story.
