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Glite Dictionary
Scaphiopus bombifrons

Scaphiopus bombifrons

9.9
A small toad that lives in dry plains, digs holes, and breeds in temporary pools
  • noun
  • /ˈskæfɪəpəs ˌbɑːmɪˈfrɒnz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Scaphiopus bombifrons
  • The Scaphiopus bombifrons is well adapted to arid environments due to its burrowing behavior.

Examples

  • During spring rains, the Scaphiopus bombifrons emerges from its burrow to breed in shallow pools.

  • Researchers observed several juvenile Scaphiopus bombifrons near the edge of a temporary pond.

  • The Scaphiopus bombifrons is known for its unique burrowing behavior.

  • Have you ever seen a Scaphiopus bombifrons in the wild?

  • During spring rains, the Scaphiopus bombifrons emerges from its burrow to breed in shallow pools.

  • Researchers observed several juvenile Scaphiopus bombifrons near the edge of a temporary pond.

  • The Scaphiopus bombifrons is well adapted to arid environments due to its burrowing behavior.

Surface Forms

Scaphiopus bombifrons singular
Scaphiopus bombifrons plural

Morphology

Scaphiopus + bombifrons

The binomial follows a predictable taxonomic composition: knowing 'Scaphiopus' (a genus of digging/spadefoot toads) lets a learner infer this is a kind of that toad. However, the species epithet 'bombifrons' is not transparent or dictionary-defined here and species-level identity/details are idiosyncratic proper-names in Latin, so the full meaning cannot be derived from the parts alone.

Etymology

Scaphiopus bombifrons comes from the toad's hard, spade-shaped back feet that it uses to 'dig' into dry ground. So the name gives a simple picture: a toad with a little spade on its foot that hides in the soil and comes out in temporary pools after rain.