Amphibians in particular are sensitive to environmental conditions, but years ago when Spadefoot Toads were common in these parts you would hear them, and you still do, during the monsoon rains. They almost sound like a lamb, "beh, beh" and you would be shocked how small they are. Anyway, we have what I call a Not-Tub. It's a very small outside pool that does not have any heater installed, but trust me, sometimes when it is 117 out, just a dip in water cools you right down. Near the small pool is a covered sort of gazebo, and on the other side of that is my koi pond. I have tried to repopulate these toads in this area, currently the gambusia minnows in there will eat the eggs before they get to tadpoles. Anyway, next to this small pool is another pool that was meant to be more decorative and part of a system, and it has always leaked and we ignore it, but years ago these toads would come and try and breed there. A dozen years is not an exceptionally long lifespan for these croakers and they are known to return to where they spawned. They come out a couple nights a year, during heavy rains and want to breed and they spend the rest of their lives hybernating, burried in the desert soil.
So, after a big rain this year, there, in the sort of side pool that isn't chlorinated water like the pool, was what looked almost like a wet leaf, in the corner. I didn't get pictures but it was a male Spadefoot, actually there was some chlorine in that side pool to kill the algae, he was not happy.
So, I released him in the pond of course, which is way better than anything that has ever existed in this area if you are a toad, and hopefully he can find a mate and they can come live in this pond and eat up all the minnows and repopulate the area again. I have tried putting tadpole eggs in there, they don't make it but if you have baby toads and need to find a home for them, I'm your guy.
Also my orange and black Koi, Darth Maul, will soon be too big for the pond and for sale.