[1] They differ greatly from true toads (those of the family Bufonidae) by having eyes with vertical pupils, no parotoid gland, and relatively smooth skin.

Its scientific name means ‘spade-foot’ as well, from the Ancient Greek skaphís (σκαφίς, ‘spade, shovel’) and pous (πούς, ‘foot, leg’).

There are three species in the genus Scaphiopus:[1][4] Spadefoot toads are found throughout the United States and into northern Mexico.

They tend to prefer dry, grassland areas with loose, sandy soils that flood in the rainy season.

Scaphiopus are generally colored appropriately with greens and browns to camouflage themselves in their native habitat.