The common spadefoot population has decreased significantly in Estonia over the last decade, because a large share of the water bodies suitable for amphibians have either been destroyed, polluted, silted up, or populated with fish. The loss of water bodies and the decrease in water quality have a profound impact on the common spadefoot, because it needs water for reproduction and the development of tadpoles, but also high-quality terrestrial habitats for its later life – a landscape mosaic with small fields, gardens, meadows, and groves. In overgrown areas or intensive agricultural landscapes, the common spadefoot loses the ability to move between different bodies of water, to find enough food and suitable places for burrowing. Thus, most of the preserved common spadefoot populations are small and isolated, and therefore highly endangered.

You can get to know the common spadefoot at various events in the spring of 2022, which are discussed in greater detail here. The first opportunity will be on 12 April, when herpetologist Riinu Rannap will be talking about the life of the common spadefoot during a webinar.

Anyone who is interested will certainly be able to find an activity that they like this spring to help restore the habitats of the common spadefoot and thereby increase their numbers.