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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 17, 2007 7:07:51 GMT 1
I keep coming across toads in my garden and I'm really not sure now if they're toads or frogs! I've been doing a bit of research and am even more confused now. Apparently there is not such a really clear distinction between the two as I'd thought...anyway, the one I saw yesterday which is living around the back door is about 2" in length and has slightly more marked skin than the huge one in the GH - he/she seems to be smoother skinned with distinctive lines along his back. There is another resident one in the same area but he's much bigger and wartier so I think he's almost certainly a toad.
I bought some pond plants for the dipping ponds (less than half price - bargain) so they are standing in shallow water in the grass collector from my mower atm (couldn't find anything else the right size). The frog/toad was sitting in there yesterday! He's a scaredy frog though so I didn't try and get a photo - he looked quite grateful. I wonder whether I could somehow get him to the school garden - would that be wrong? Are they strongly territorial? I wouldn't want to upset him too much!
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Post by emseypop on Aug 17, 2007 7:25:13 GMT 1
I always thought toads had a more humped back and were bumpier than frogs? Don't know about moving them, its not as if they mate for life and there is a Mrs Toad though is it?
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 17, 2007 7:38:03 GMT 1
So did I but it's not necessarily so - there's a bit of a debate about the differences even amongst the experts it seems..I think most of mine are toads though..
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Post by madonplants on Aug 17, 2007 10:14:34 GMT 1
Frogs are smooth whereas toads are warty/rough. Toad would rather crawl, than hop, like frogs do! Our frogs are still in the pond and 'tub' and come out early evening to eat!
Keith
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 21, 2007 13:40:37 GMT 1
The one in the GH is a frog I think now. I saw him this morning quite close up as I watered. He climbed over a spade to hide and he had very long slim legs and is quite smooth although he has got quite distinctive black markings...he's about as big as a small orange, if that makes any sense! Whichever they are there are still lots about. The babies are now about the size of walnuts. They're lovely.
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Post by madonplants on Sept 21, 2007 14:29:29 GMT 1
If you got a photo, we could confirm one way or the other!!  If it looks smooth it's probably a frog. From the sound of the markings, sounds like a frog as well. Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 23, 2007 18:04:30 GMT 1
I did put this on the Banter thread but never mind! I found a HUGE toad in Freddy's shed - it was about 4" across. It was definitely a toad as it was very warty. So that means I have a pretty healthy population of both frogs and toads in the garden. Which is nice.
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 29, 2007 17:55:54 GMT 1
I spent the afternoon hacking, sawing and lopping at my very overgrown border by the patio and back door. After I'd removed the dead shrubs and pulled 38 tons of the monster honeysuckle out, a REALLY big toad made me jump out of my skin (Huh, that'll be the day - I have lots of skin these days ) Anyway, I thought the one in Fred's shed the other weekend was big but this is obviously The Daddy! It was much bigger than my hand and lolloped away quite sedately. AND I found stacks of empty snail shells! I am slightly worried that I have ruined his winter hideout...anyone know where/how they overwinter? Shall I find a nice big pot and turn it on its side filled with straw etc and tuck it down there by the base of the wall? I have loads of moss on the barn roof....... |
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Post by emseypop on Sept 30, 2007 7:44:34 GMT 1
I think straw would be too dry, they sort of dig themselves down into a muddy patch, I think I remember seeing on a programme that they can hibernate for years if needs be! I'm sure he'll find himself somewhere else in your lovely garden 4P
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 30, 2007 9:15:35 GMT 1
Thing is, that's where OH chucks the coffee grains every morning! I might have the world's only caffeine addicted toad............
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Post by emseypop on Sept 30, 2007 15:50:12 GMT 1
 Ohh well i'm sure he'll know where to go when he needs a fix, maybe he'll be able to settle down for the winter now, yopu've prolly done him a favour.
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 8, 2008 7:33:04 GMT 1
Here I am again, on my annual toad ponder.......my garden is inundated with teeny toads again. They are crawling all over the place, in their hundreds, and it is quite difficult to walk with stepping on them in places. It really intrigues me where they all come from.....I have a tiny 2ft wide pond which is usually buried under a ton of overgrown weeds. I have never seen any evidence that they spawn in there. The nearest water is the lakes over half a mile away across large, very cultivated fields. This year we have seen very few crossing the main road from the forest on the other side (unlike last year when the poor things were splatted all over the road). I've been clearing around the pond and haven't seen a single baby there but they are all over the goats sheds, all around my back door, on the patio and the grassy areas where we are most often about are alive with them.....it's as if they are suddenly beamed into the garden.....very strange.... They are cute little things though...smallest and granddaughter are having a fine time picking them up (gently) and counting them..  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 8, 2008 12:56:12 GMT 1
OH has just announced that he saw 2 baby toads in the conservatory this morning....he didn't move them outside and now I can't find them...  Men! |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 8, 2008 13:01:06 GMT 1
Here I am again, on my annual toad ponder.......my garden is inundated with teeny toads again. They are crawling all over the place, in their hundreds, and it is quite difficult to walk with stepping on them in places. It really intrigues me where they all come from.....I have a tiny 2ft wide pond which is usually buried under a ton of overgrown weeds. I have never seen any evidence that they spawn in there. The nearest water is the lakes over half a mile away across large, very cultivated fields. This year we have seen very few crossing the main road from the forest on the other side (unlike last year when the poor things were splatted all over the road). I've been clearing around the pond and haven't seen a single baby there but they are all over the goats sheds, all around my back door, on the patio and the grassy areas where we are most often about are alive with them.....it's as if they are suddenly beamed into the garden.....very strange.... They are cute little things though...smallest and granddaughter are having a fine time picking them up (gently) and counting them.. 4pygmies you have just reminded me that when we were down your way a few years ago, we stopped to let a couple of them cross the road, and turned back to make sure one that was on the other side of the road made it across safely! |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 8, 2008 13:10:28 GMT 1
You're a kind hearted soul aren't you? ;D But my OH and I are just the same.. There used to be several places locally where people escorted the toads across the roads - we have a toad crossing sign outside here - but few people seem to care about them these days. Sadly they also seem to be less in numbers now generally although my garden is clearly not short of them! One lady I know went out regularly at night with a head torch and a bucket to keep as many alive as possible as crossed her main road. She did it for weeks every year...they're not crossing near her any more either...  I used to worry about my chickens eating them, I know it's part of Life's rich tapestry but it was horrid finding dead, legless toads everywhere - poor old Hilda isn't sharp sighted enough anymore. ;D |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jul 8, 2008 13:32:51 GMT 1
You're a kind hearted soul aren't you? ;D But my OH and I are just the same.. There used to be several places locally where people escorted the toads across the roads - we have a toad crossing sign outside here - but few people seem to care about them these days. Sadly they also seem to be less in numbers now generally although my garden is clearly not short of them! One lady I know went out regularly at night with a head torch and a bucket to keep as many alive as possible as crossed her main road. She did it for weeks every year...they're not crossing near her any more either... I used to worry about my chickens eating them, I know it's part of Life's rich tapestry but it was horrid finding dead, legless toads everywhere - poor old Hilda isn't sharp sighted enough anymore. ;D The term normally used to describe me is 'daft as a brush'! ;D Poor Hilda, wonder if she sits reminiscing - watching the toad thinking 'in my youth.....' ;D |
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Post by madonplants on Jul 8, 2008 16:36:07 GMT 1
OH has just announced that he saw 2 baby toads in the conservatory this morning....he didn't move them outside and now I can't find them... Men! No just your OH, 4P!! Why didn't he want to move them. Don't tell me he believes the old wives tale, that he could get warts from handling them! If that was true, I would be very disfigured by now!!  |
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Post by emseypop on Jul 8, 2008 18:04:16 GMT 1
OH has just announced that he saw 2 baby toads in the conservatory this morning....he didn't move them outside and now I can't find them... Men! No just your OH, 4P!! Why didn't he want to move them. Don't tell me he believes the old wives tale, that he could get warts from handling them! If that was true, I would be very disfigured by now!! I'm surprised sleepy hasn't jumped in here. I have one word for you Keith ALIEN |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 9, 2008 8:06:43 GMT 1
OH has just announced that he saw 2 baby toads in the conservatory this morning....he didn't move them outside and now I can't find them... Men! No just your OH, 4P!! Why didn't he want to move them. Don't tell me he believes the old wives tale, that he could get warts from handling them! If that was true, I would be very disfigured by now!! Nothing like that at all, Keith! This is the man who puts earthworms in his mouth to entertain the children........it's just that he doesn't care what creatures are crawling about in or out of the house.......he likes them all really......I thik he only tries to get rid of the rats because he can't stand my screams.... ;D |
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 9, 2008 21:33:42 GMT 1
Every time I see the heading "baby toads" I keep thinking of small sausages in batter....
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 10, 2008 7:47:50 GMT 1
nooooooooooooo...................................
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 10, 2008 8:37:34 GMT 1
Sorry to keep droning on and on but I do find this fascinating - I've just been watering the plants in the conservatory and looked out at the patio. In a space about 5ft X 2ft smallest and I counted at least 26 baby toads (batter less), all moving in the same direction (roughly west to east), there are lots more but we couldn't count them all....amazing.....
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Post by madonplants on Jul 10, 2008 9:37:33 GMT 1
Sorry to keep droning on and on but I do find this fascinating - I've just been watering the plants in the conservatory and looked out at the patio. In a space about 5ft X 2ft smallest and I counted at least 26 baby toads (batter less), all moving in the same direction (roughly west to east), there are lots more but we couldn't count them all....amazing..... You're obviously on their 'flight path', 4P. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 10, 2008 9:43:33 GMT 1
Where are they going though? They are all on an exodus in exactly the same direction....it's very weird to see.... Mum came round first thing to tell me she had counted over 30 toads on her path doing exactly the same.... I've taken some pictures but they're not very good - they are much too fast for my camera. (And Photobucket is doing site maintainance anyway :  ) I just nipped out to feed the goats and water the PT and it's very tricky to walk about without treading on them - they're crawling everywhere....do they know something we don't?? |
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Post by madonplants on Jul 10, 2008 10:40:23 GMT 1
Where are they going though? They are all on an exodus in exactly the same direction....it's very weird to see.... Mum came round first thing to tell me she had counted over 30 toads on her path doing exactly the same.... I've taken some pictures but they're not very good - they are much too fast for my camera. (And Photobucket is doing site maintainance anyway : ) I just nipped out to feed the goats and water the PT and it's very tricky to walk about without treading on them - they're crawling everywhere....do they know something we don't?? They are probably going off to find their own territories, as they are quite solitary when they get older, only coming back together each spring to breed. The route is probably close to the route 'back' to the pond, as well. |
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Men!
I used to worry about my chickens eating them, I know it's part of Life's rich tapestry but it was horrid finding dead, legless toads everywhere - poor old Hilda isn't sharp sighted enough anymore. ;D