They also tended to emerge more frequently from their burrows on nights that were warmer and more humid, or the night after/during rain. Other than the emergence after rain and during breeding season, these animals do not have a specific pattern to their burrow emergence; the movements seem to be very random. Feeding Habits Although ″Scaphiopus holbrookii" is both diurnal and nocturnal, most foraging for food sources consisting of small invertebrates such as termites, insects, arachnids, worms, is completed during the day. Some species will completely leave to burrow in search of prey, however, a common tactic for the eastern spadefoot is to simply sit at the opening of the burrow and waiting for prey to pass by. Reproduction S. holbrookii requires fish-free ephemeral ponds for breeding but occupies other habitats such as longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystems when not breeding. Eastern spadefoot toads are explosive breeders during sufficient rainfall and eggs are usually attached to submerged vegetation. Due to the explosive breeding once eggs hatch often food becomes limited from the large populations of tadpoles. S. holbrookii tadpoles are known to be omnivorous. In the event of food shortages some larva adapt aggressive feeding habits consuming large animal prey including other S. holbrookii tadpoles. These cannibalistic morphs develop a heightened rate and become much larger tadpoles in comparison to the non-cannibal morphs. Conservation status While not listed as an endangered species by the U.S. federal government, S. holbrookii is considered "threatened" in Massachusetts. In that state and in 13 others, it is listed as a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need". Etymology The epithet, holbrookii, is in honor of John Edwards Holbrook, American herpetologist. References External links Outdoor Alabama - Eastern Spadefoot holbrookii Endemic fauna of the United States Spadefoot, Eastern Splayfoot, Eastern Amphibians described in 1835