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Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Scaphiopus holbrookii
The Eastern Spadefoot is a highly secretive, nocturnal American toad. It possesses distinctive keratinized spades on its hind legs for rapid backward burrowing and requires deep sandy substrate setups.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Scaphiopodidae
Genus:Scaphiopus
Species:Scaphiopus holbrookii
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 70 %
Day temperature
20 - 26 °C
Night temperature
15 - 20 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to eastern North America, commonly found in the United States, from coastal New England south to Florida and west to Louisiana and Arkansas. It inhabits temperate deciduous forests, pine barrens, dry grasslands, and agricultural areas with sandy or loose soils, ideal for burrowing during dry or cold seasons.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Scaphiopodidae, genus Scaphiopus. It differs from true toads (family Bufonidae) in several anatomical ways. At the genetic level, it displays unique evolutionary adaptations linked to accelerated larval development in temporary pools, a crucial survival strategy in xeric habitats.
Behavior and Habits: A strictly nocturnal and fossorial amphibian. It spends the vast majority of its life buried underground, emerging only at night to hunt or during heavy spring and summer rains to breed. It uses the keratinized spades on its hind feet to dig backward into the soil, disappearing within seconds.
Morphology: Features a plump, rounded body with relatively smooth, moist skin compared to common toads, scattered with small warts. Length ranges from 5 to 8 cm (2-3 inches). Eyes are large, protruding, and have vertical pupils adapted for night vision. A sharp black keratinized "spade" is present on the underside of each hind foot.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires an enclosure measuring at least 60x40x40 cm (24x16x16 inches) for one toad or a pair. The key element is a deep substrate (at least 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches) allowing the amphibian to dig and burrow. A mix of unfertilized peat, coconut fiber, and fine sand, kept damp but not soggy, is ideal. Place cork bark, dried leaves, and shallow hides on the surface.
Lighting and Heating: Does not require intense UVB light due to its fossorial and nocturnal habits, but a low-output UVB lamp (2.0 or 5.0) helps maintain a natural day-night cycle. Keep terrarium temperature between 20°C and 24°C (68°F - 75°F) during the day, with a night drop to 16-18°C (60°F - 64°F). Avoid intense heat sources that dry the soil.
Humidity and Hydration: Humidity must be kept around 60-70%. Regularly mist the substrate with dechlorinated water to keep lower layers damp while letting the surface dry slightly. Provide a shallow, dechlorinated water dish on the surface where the toad can absorb moisture through its skin.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feeds on crickets, roaches, mealworms, small earthworms, and fruit flies. Feed at night when they are active. Dust prey with pure calcium at every feeding for juveniles and twice weekly for adults, adding vitamin D3 and multivitamins once a week.
Compatibility: A peaceful animal that can be kept in small groups of the same species, provided there is enough space and substrate for all. Do not house with other amphibians or reptiles to avoid pathogen transmission and stress. Minimize handling to protect their sensitive, permeable skin.
Health and Common Diseases: Bacterial or fungal skin infections (such as chytridiomycosis) are the primary risks, promoted by poor hygiene or waterlogged, stagnant substrate. Dehydration is a major threat if soil dries out. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) can occur without proper calcium and D3 supplementation.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to eastern North America, commonly found in the United States, from coastal New England south to Florida and west to Louisiana and Arkansas. It inhabits temperate deciduous forests, pine barrens, dry grasslands, and agricultural areas with sandy or loose soils, ideal for burrowing during dry or cold seasons.
Origin
North America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 7.1 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 7.1 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 7.1 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
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