description Eastern Spadefoot Overview
The Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) is a fossorial frog native to the eastern United States, ranging from New England to Florida and westward to the Great Plains. It possesses a dark, keratinous spade on each hind foot used to burrow backward into sandy or loose soil, where it spends much of its life underground. The species emerges during heavy rains to breed explosively in temporary pools, and its call has been described as a low-pitched groan or whoop.
help Eastern Spadefoot FAQ
How does the Eastern Spadefoot get its name?
The Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) is named for the dark, keratinous, spade-like tubercle on the inner side of each of its hind feet. This specialized anatomical feature is used to dig backwards into loose soil.
Where can you find the Eastern Spadefoot in the wild?
This fossorial species is native to the eastern United States. Its range extends from New England down through Florida and westward to the edge of the Great Plains states like Missouri and Arkansas.
What kind of lifestyle does the Eastern Spadefoot live?
It is a fossorial species, meaning it spends the vast majority of its life underground in self-dug burrows. It usually only emerges from the soil at night during heavy rains to breed in temporary pools of water.
How does the Eastern Spadefoot survive underground for so long?
To survive long periods of dormancy, it burrows deep into sandy or loose soil to avoid drying out. It secretes a protective coating of mucus and can remain buried for months or even years waiting for the right rainfall to trigger breeding.
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