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Glite Dictionary
southern spadefoot

southern spadefoot

9.5
A small toad with spade-shaped back feet that lives in dry parts of the southwestern United States
  • noun
  • /ˈsaʊðərn ˈspeɪdˌfʊt/
  • US
translation icon : sapo de pala del sur
  • The southern spadefoot is well adapted to life in arid regions of the southwestern United States.

Examples

  • During the rainy season, southern spadefoots emerge from underground to breed in temporary pools.

  • A southern spadefoot can be identified by the spade-shaped projections on its hind feet.

  • The southern spadefoot is known for its unique burrowing behavior.

  • Many southern spadefoots can be found in the desert during the rainy season.

  • A southern spadefoot can be identified by the spade-shaped projections on its hind feet.

  • During the rainy season, southern spadefoots emerge from underground to breed in temporary pools.

  • The southern spadefoot is well adapted to life in arid regions of the southwestern United States.

Surface Forms

southern spadefoot singular
southern spadefoots plural

Morphology

southern + spadefoot

The noun phrase combines the geographic adjective 'southern' with 'spadefoot' (a burrowing toad), so the meaning — the spadefoot species found in the south/southwestern region — is directly derivable from its parts. This straightforward modifier+noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Southern spadefoot gets its name from the toad's back feet, which have a spade-like shape used for digging, and from the 'southern' area where it lives. So the name points to a digging toad found in the southwestern United States.