Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus, esp. Scaphiopus Holbrookii, of the Eastern United States; -- called also spade toad.

burrowing toad of the northern hemisphere with a horny spade-like projection on each hind foot

Although commonly called Spadefoot Toads, they are not actually toads. They are easily distinguished from true toads by having vertical pupils to their eyes, relatively smooth skin and no parotoid (poison) glands. Spadefoots get their name from the "spade," a sharp- edged protrusion on the inside of their hind feet used for burrowing. With it, spadefoots can burrow down into the ground almost a full metre. Canada has only two species of spadefoots: the Great Basin Spadefoot of British Columbia and the Plains Spadefoot of the prairies.