A female may lay up to 2,500 eggs, which hatch in 1 to 7 days. Only 16 sightings of spadefoots were reported from 1811 to 1936 in southern New England. The species was only seen 8 times at various locations throughout the state from 1970 to 1989. The population of spadefoot toads in Connecticut is threatened by the loss of habitat due to development and urbanization. It has been the subject of myths claiming that it remains buried for years underground in shallow burrows before surfacing to breed.
Spadefoots do remain underground in shallow burrows for weeks during dry periods.
On damp summer nights, spadefoots often emerge from their burrows. The spade-like projections on the hind feet of the spadefoot enable it to dig easily into the soil. By rocking back and forth and rapidly digging with its hind legs, the toad can vanish quickly below the surface of loose soil. During periods of extended drought, eastern spadefoot toads can lie dormant. They curl into a tight ball and excrete a fluid that hardens the soil around them, forming a compact chamber to retain any available moisture.