Eastern Spadefoot

Scientific Name: Scaphiopus holbrookii
Size: 1.75-2.25 inches (4-6 cm) in length
PA Status: Endangered Species

Habitat Type:
Sandy soil along the floodplains of streams and rivers.

Colorations:

  • The dorsal background color varies from dark brown or grey to blackish grey with two irregular, light dorsal stripes that extend from the eyes to the sacrum.
  • The sides of the body, sides of the head and legs are mottled with light spots.
  • The ventral is grey or white.
  • The iris of the eyes is greenish yellow.

Characteristics:

  • Small species.
  • The body is squat and stout.
  • The legs are short and heavy.
  • The head is short and broad with a rounded snout.
  • The eyes are large, protuberant and set high on the sides of the head.
  • The cranial crest are absent.
  • The parotoid glands are small, round, and barely visible.
  • The dorsal skin is covered with small scattered warts.
  • The ventral is smooth.
  • The hind feet are webbed.
  • The inner metatarsal tubercle is wide, sharp and heavily cornified black “spade”.

Tadpole coloration and characteristics:

  • Small-sized. Average 2-3cm
  • The eyes are set on top of the head and are close together.
  • The coloration varies from dark brown to bronze.
  • The tail crest is translucent and moderately well-developed.

Confused with:

  • American Toad
  • Fowler’s Toad

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Eastern Spadefoot - By: Kyle Loucks Eastern Spadefoot - By: Kyle Loucks Eastern Spadefoot - By: Kyle Loucks
Eastern Spadefoot - By: Brandon Curtis Eastern Spadefoot - By: Bob Hamilton Eastern Spadefoot - By: Bob Hamilton
Eastern Spadefoot - By: Bob Hamilton Eastern Spadefoot - By: Bob Hamilton
Tadpoles
Eggs

Range Map:

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 126-130pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Bob Hamilton
  • Kyle Loucks
  • Brandon Curtis