Scaphiopodidae
7 species in 2 genera
Spadefoot Toads This group was formerly part of the family Pelobatidae. Scaphiopodids plus Pelobatids are collectively known as the Spadefoot Toads, owing to a keratinized digging spade present on each hindfoot. These toads are desert dwellers, spending considerable time underground each year until the rains arrive. At that point they rapidly move to the surface and breed explosively in temporary pools. Tadpole development is extraordinarily rapid in this group.
Scaphiopus couchii
Photo by David Wake
(Click for details)
Genus Scaphiopus (3 species)
Scaphiopus couchii English account no non-English account photos sound/video Scaphiopus holbrookii English account no non-English account photos no sound/video Scaphiopus hurterii English account no non-English account photos no sound/video
Genus Spea (4 species)
Spea bombifrons English account no non-English account photos no sound/video Spea hammondii English account no non-English account photos no sound/video Spea intermontana English account no non-English account photos sound/video Spea multiplicata English account no non-English account photos sound/video
Citation: AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2012. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: 2012).
AmphibiaWeb's policy on data use.