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The Scaphiopodidae are a family of endangered American spadefoot toads. They are native to southern Canada, southern USA, and extend to southern Mexico. The Scaphiopodidae are a small family, comprising only seven species. The American spadefoot toads are of typical shape to most fossorial (or burrowing) frogs. They are round, with short legs and protruding eyes. As suggested by their name, these frogs have hard, keratinous protrusions present on their feet, which help them to dig. Like most fossorial frogs, they will dig backwards into the ground. The American spadefoot toads are terrestrial when not under ground. They are dully colored, usually a grey or dull green or brown. This is to aid in camouflage in their arid habitats. ==Taxonomy== This family was previously included in the European spadefoot toad family, but has been split into two taxa. The Pelobatidae include the ''Pelobates'' genus, and Scaphiopodidae the rest. * Southern spadefoot toads, ''Scaphiopus'' (Holbrook, 1836) * Western spadefoot toads, ''Spea'' (Cope, 1866) Spadefoot toads are generally found in arid climates, where they spend the majority of their lives underground, generally beneath perennial ponds, creek beds, or other moisture-retaining areas. During years of sufficient rainfall, the toads surface to breed and lay eggs. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「American spadefoot toad」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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