Each year we anxiously await the emergence of each species. One of the most unique is the Eastern spadefoot toad which begins to crawl out of sandy soil during the first warm, heavy spring rain like zombies in a horror movie. These toads are nocturnal, can feature some unique yellow coloration, and have huge cat-like vertical pupils. They get their names from the black, sharp-edged, spade-like projection on the underside of each foot. In Harford County we only have found them in a few specific locations so while they may be common elsewhere in the state, they are special to us here. As with many species, they are only seen by those who are dedicated enough to venture out on rainy night when the conditions are just right. Keep an eye out for them as you drive around at night as many of them are killed by automobiles.
