Eastern Spadefoot
Scaphiopus holbrookii
A small, plump species of toad growing no more than 2.25 inches in length. It has large, bulging eyes, and small bumps all over its skin. Its parotid glands are moderatel…
How to identify
A small, plump species of toad growing no more than 2.25 inches in length. It has large, bulging eyes, and small bumps all over its skin. Its parotid glands are moderately enlarged and circular. Each hind foot has a hard black crescent-shaped growth on the bottom, to aid in digging. It typically has 2 indistinct light wavy lines down its back, which create an hourglass shape. Its dorsum is primarily some shade of brown or dark olive, and its ventrum is pale. It has vertical pupils.
Range
Found along the east coast from Massachusetts to south Florida, and throughout the southeastern states, primarily east of the Mississippi River. Extensions of range stretch north into central Indiana and southern Ohio.
Habitat
Spends the majority of its life burrowed deep underground, only emerging to breed or rarely eat. It tends to be found in upland areas with loose sandy or loamy soil near deciduous shrub edges, reindeer lichen, or ground-running pine branches. Often comes out after heavy rains and flooding to breed in temporary pools.
Variations
Some have small orange dots on the skin bumps on their sides, and/or lime green blotchy areas on their sides or face.
Similar species
Most akin to the Hurter's spadefoot (*Scaphiopus hurterii*) found further west in the US. Also similar to the plains spadefoot (*Spea bombifrons*) or western spadefoot (*Spea hammondii*).
Name and etymology
Holbrookii: Honoring John E. Holbrook.
At a glance
Size
45 to 78 mm
Range
Found along the east coast from Massachusetts to south Florida, and throughout the southeastern states, primarily east of the…
Habitat
Spends the majority of its life burrowed deep underground, only emerging to breed or rarely eat. It tends to be found in upla…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap