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Abbreviation Legend

  • (CE) - Criticially Endangered
  • (CI) - Critically Imperiled
  • (E) - Endangered
  • (I) - Introduced
  • (IM) - Imperiled
  • (NT) - Near Threatened
  • (T) - Threatened
  • (V) - Vulnerable
  • (**) - Recent Classification Change
Home »» Frogs & Toads »» Scaphiopodidae (American Spadefoot Toads)

American Spadefoot Toads (Scaphiopodidae) of the United States


The Scaphiopodidae are of typical shape to most fossorial (or burrowing) frogs. They are round with short legs and protruding eyes. As suggested by their name, these frogs have hard, keratinous protrusions present on their feet, which help them to dig. Like most fossorial frogs, they dig backwards into the ground. They differ from true toads because they have vertical pupils and no paratoid gland.

There are 7 species, representing 2 genus, found on the United States, all of which are native to the U.S.

Couch's Spadefoot
(Scaphiopus couchii)

Eastern Spadefoot
(Scaphiopus holbrookii)

Hurter's Spadefoot
(Scaphiopus hurterii)

Plains Spadefoot
(Spea bombifrons)
(NT)

Western Spadefoot
(Spea hammondii)

Great Basin Spadefoot
(Spea intermontana)

New Mexico Spadefoot
(Spea multiplicata)
 

 

 

 

Recommended Books at Amazon.com


Frogs and Toads of the World     Frogs and Toads (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)     Frog or Toad?: How Do You Know? (Which Animal Is Which?)     National Geographic Readers: Frogs!



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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
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