Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Scaphiopus holbrookii
Conservation Status:
Photographed by Dr. Max Lambert
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Description
Eastern spadefoots are not true toads, resulting in their skin being smoother and less dry than the other toads found in Connecticut. Their warts are very small and scattered around. This species grows to be around two inches long, and it can appear brown, gray, or tan in color with a translucent belly. Two light stripes run from the eyes down their back, generally shaped like an hourglass. This color is a deeper yellow in males, however some individuals have less distinct markings in general. Spadefoots are easily recognizable due to their bright yellow eyes with vertical pupils, and a dark spur on their back feet for burrowing.
Habitat
This species requires a habitat that is dry with sandy soil and minimal vegetation. They can be found close to shrub edges and low hanging branches, typically favoring pine forests.
Behavior
Spadefoot toads spend a majority of their time underground in burrows. They burrow in a spiral, sometimes as deep as eight feet. Other than to breed and eat, these frogs generally stay hidden. Due to this, as well as their rapidly declining populations in the northern range, many consider them to be the rarest amphibian in New England. Many spadefoots will hunt at the opening of their burrows, waiting
for prey to pass by the opening, while others will exit their burrow to find food. They eat small invertebrates like insects, worms, and arachnids. Being explosive breeders, heavy rain at any time of the year may prompt breeding. In order for this to happen, they require fish free vernal pools to guarantee safety. Up to 2,500 eggs may be laid at a time, and these strands are attached to vegetation underwater. These eggs can hatch very quickly, sometimes within a day after being laid. This is why spadefoots generally breed alone in more shallow vernal pools. However, this sometimes leads to shortages of food due to no other larvae sharing the pool. Being omnivores, some tadpoles may morph into cannibals, eating others. Cannibalistic tadpoles grow much larger than the others.
Range
Present