Populations of Spea hammondii are localized, but widespread. It prefers grassland, scrub and chaparral locally but could occur in oak woodlands. It is nocturnal, and activity is limited to the wet season, summer storms, or during evenings with elevated substrate moisture levels. It is easily handled, with less skin secretions than other toad species in its area. Their secretions smell like peanut butter and may cause sneezing.

The Western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) is a relatively smooth-skinned species of toad. Its eyes are pale gold with vertical pupils. It has a green or grey dorsum often with skin tubercles tipped in orange, and it is a whitish color on the venter. It