spadefoot toad

spadefoot toad
any of several nocturnal toads of the family Pelobatidae, common in the Northern Hemisphere, characterized by a horny, spadelike projection on each hind foot for burrowing under the soil.
[1865-70, Amer.]

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      relatively smooth-skinned amphibian of either the Old World genus Pelobates or of the genera Scaphiopus and Spea of North America. All spadefoot toads are classified in the family Pelobatidae. Spadefoot toads have a broad, horny “spade” projecting from the inside of each hind foot and used by the animals in burrowing.

      The European spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus) is found in Europe and Central Asia, usually in sandy regions. Some related species have more restricted ranges. It is about 6 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches) long and spends the day underground.

      At least seven species of spadefoots are found in regions of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, where soils are sandy. These animals are about 4 to 9 cm (1.5 to 3.5 inches) long and are also nocturnal burrow dwellers. In warm weather after a heavy rain, they emerge to breed in temporary ponds. The young of the western, arid-country forms normally hatch quickly and transform into adults before the ponds dry up; those of the eastern spadefoot develop more slowly.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Spadefoot Toad — can refer to: * European Spadefoot Toad * American Spadefoot Toads …   Wikipedia

  • spadefoot toad — [spād′foot΄] n. any of several toads (family Pelobatidae) with a hornlike projection on the hind foot that is used in digging burrows …   English World dictionary

  • spadefoot toad — noun a burrowing toad of the northern hemisphere with a horny spade like projection on each hind foot • Syn: ↑spadefoot • Hypernyms: ↑frog, ↑toad, ↑toad frog, ↑anuran, ↑batrachian, ↑salientian …   Useful english dictionary

  • spadefoot toad — noun Date: 1867 any of a family (Pelobatidae) of burrowing toads having the inner bone of the tarsus edged with a strong horny sheath with which they dig …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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  • Northern Spadefoot Toad — Conservation status Least Concern  …   Wikipedia

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