Eastern Spadefoot
Scaphiopus holbrookii
| Common Name: | Eastern Spadefoot  |
| Scientific Name: | Scaphiopus holbrookii |
| Etymology: | |
| Genus: | skaphis is Greek for "shovel or spade", pous is Greek for "foot". |
| Species: | holbrookii is in honor of John Edwards Holbrook (1794-1871). |
| Average Length: | 1.75 - 2.25 in. (4.4 - 5.7 cm) |
| Virginia Record Length: | |
| Record length: | 2.9 in. (7.3 cm) |
Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier IV - Moderate Conservation Need - The species may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery. Populations of these species have demonstrated a significant declining trend or one is suspected which, if continued, is likely to qualify this species for a higher tier in the foreseeable future. Long-term planning is necessary to stabilize or increase populations.
Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service: Species Booklet
Photos:
*Click on a thumbnail for a larger version.
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spade.JPG) |
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| Adult City of Danville |
Juvenile - Surry Co. | Spade of spadefoot | |||
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| Egg Mass | Egg Mass | Normal Tadpole | Leucistic Tadpole | Males have brighter yellow dorsal stripes. |
Females light whitish to cream colored dorsal stripes. |
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| Spadefoots engage in pelvic or inguinal amplexus. This is very different than toad amplexus which is pectoral or axillary. | Paired pectoral glands produce a defensive poison. | A newly metamorphed spadefoot |