.DesertDenizen

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Even though he looks like he would be much happier on a lily pad in a pond, Couch's Spadefoot lives in a dry desert environment. Using the digging appendages on his back legs, he will burrow deep into the ground to wait for rain. When there is finally enough moisture to make the soil wet down where he is hibernating, he will come to the surface and begin to live a normal frog's life until it dries out again. Then back into the ground for another long wait. Couch's Spadefoot is the only true frog found in my part of the desert. The others are toads, well adapted to the dry conditions. This specimen was shot in total darkness with just a wink of a flash.