Twinkling Toad

Description

Even with there being less American toads hopping about this year from last, the ground has still been coming to life with little brown bouncing specks. With oversized eyes and the placement of them, they can see almost a complete 360 allowing toads to be very aware of approaching threats, which would probably explain how much and many move about as I wander around. These tiny creatures also release a toxin that tastes disgusting to predators and can make them ill, however, I’ve not found a smell, nor had a skin irritation from it before. When I first learned of their toxic trait, I wondered what was so plentiful besides the toads that fed so many garter snakes in our area. I came to learn that garter snakes have actually adapted to being immune to the toads toxic taste, allowing for a bountiful supply of food for the snakes. The toad’s skin, coated in lumping, bumping warts, but again, these are not something that affect people, getting warts from a toad is simply a myth. They may not be the prettiest creature in the animal kingdom, when you get down on their level and view the world, and the rocks become mountains and the sand, water and warts all flicker like stars in the light.

Taken By

Jillian A. Brown

Taken On

October 21, 2024

Tagged

toad climb amphibian ccpc nature canadianwildlife animal wildlife lizard reptile frog eye true_toad true_frog terrestrial_animal

Assignments

Wildlife