spadefoot
Desert toad species
A spadefoot is a burrowing toad with a hard, spade-shaped projection on its hind feet used for digging into soil.
Spadefoots live in arid regions, spending most of their lives underground and emerging after heavy rains to breed in temporary pools.
The spadefoots appeared overnight after the desert storm.
Warty terrestrial amphibian
- frogTailless leaping amphibian
- amphibianDual-habitat cold-blooded vertebrate
- tadpoleImmature aquatic amphibian
- vertebrateSpinal column animal
burrowing · keratinous · breeding · explosive · ephemeral · ponds · vocalizations · estivation
Immature aquatic amphibian
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- transformationThorough change in form
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
development · rapid · ephemeral · pools · hatching · growth · legs · tail
Expressed intent to harm
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- lossBeing without something
- endangeredAt risk of extinction
protection · wetland · decline · species · population · preservation · wildlife · drought
Animal's dug dwelling
- digUnearth by shoveling
- excavateRemove earth systematically
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
underground · soil · den · chamber · backward · hindfoot · sandy · loose
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- emergenceComing into existence
- darknessTotal absence of light
- twilightLight after sunset
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
calling · chorusing · breeding · rainfall · moisture · humidity · hunting · foraging
Obscure in meaning
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- brownDark earth tone
- grayNeutral achromatic hue
patterned · blend · soil · concealment · predators · protective · skin · warty
toad
Warty terrestrial amphibian
- frogTailless leaping amphibian
- amphibianDual-habitat cold-blooded vertebrate
- tadpoleImmature aquatic amphibian
vertebrate · burrowing · keratinous · breeding · explosive · ephemeral · ponds · vocalizations · estivation · terrestrial
tadpole
Immature aquatic amphibian
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- transformationThorough change in form
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
larvae · development · rapid · ephemeral · pools · hatching · growth · legs · tail · juvenile
threatened
Expressed intent to harm
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- lossBeing without something
endangered · protection · wetland · decline · species · population · preservation · wildlife · drought · climate
burrow
Animal's dug dwelling
subterranean · underground · soil · den · chamber · backward · hindfoot · sandy · loose · desert
nighttime
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
crepuscular · calling · chorusing · breeding · rainfall · moisture · humidity · hunting · foraging · insects
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- brownDark earth tone
gray · patterned · blend · soil · concealment · predators · protective · skin · warty · bumpy