days after the eggs are laid. Western spadefoot toads take longer to mature (at least three weeks). The small pools of water are warmed by the sun, which speeds up the growth of the tadpoles. Tadpoles will eat a variety of foods, such as small insects near the pool and algae, which they scrape off rocks. They also filter microorganisms from the water as it is passed over their gills. Tadpoles gather in wriggling masses, stir up the muck on the bottom of the pool, and filter out the organic nutrients. Unlike most tadpoles, which are exclusively herbivores and filter feeders, spadefoot tadpoles are omnivores. They also eat dead insects and tadpoles, as well as fairy shrimp. References External links Animal Diversity Web: Scaphiopus couchii Scaphiopus Amphibians described in 1854 Amphibians of Mexico Amphibians of the United States Taxa named by Spencer Fullerton Baird