How can some frogs and toads dig themselves into the ground?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How can some frogs and toads dig themselves into the ground?

The Big Idea

Some toads can dig themselves into the ground! They are called spadefoot toads. Their feet are built like little shovels.

Spade Feet

Step one: Spade Feet. Spadefoot toads have hard, spade-shaped bumps on their hind feet. They work like little shovels.

Backing Down

Step two: Backing Down. They wriggle backward and dig down into loose soil. Soon they sink out of sight.

Waiting

Step three: Waiting. Underground, it is cooler and damper, so they can wait out dry weather or winter, sometimes for months. When heavy rains fall, they come up to breed.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Spade feet do the digging. Loose soil is easy to dig. They wait a long time. Heavy rain brings them up.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The plains spadefoot lives in the prairies of southern Canada. Spadefoot toads can stay underground for most of the year. Damp soil keeps their skin from drying out. Their tadpoles grow up fast, before puddles dry.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Pretend to be a spadefoot toad. Sit by a tray or box of sand. Push your feet backward in the sand. See how far you sink. Why do you think toads dig backward?

Outro

Spadefoot toads dig into the ground with hard, spade-shaped bumps on their back feet, then wait in the cool, damp soil until heavy rains call them up. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!