The relative ability of several species of anurans (Bufo americanus, B. cognatus, Hyla cinerea, Rana pipiens, Scaphiopus couchi, and S. hammondi) to absorb water from the soil was examined. Fossorial species from xeric habitats, S. couchi, S. hammondi and B. cognatus had absorption thresholds between 2.5 and 3 atm. In decreasing order of ability to absorb moisture from the soil were B. americanus, H. cinerea and R. pipiens. The ability of anurans to absorb moisture from the soil is probably a factor determining their distribution.