Common Bufo
Posted: July 18th, 2021, 3:05 pm
I was walking the yard individually spraying weeds when I spotted something move.. It was as I looked closer I realized it was a toad, a baby toad at that.. As it hopped and hopped to avoid my grasp I eventually caught him.. I grabbed my phone and captured a picture just before he attempted to hop out of my hand..
After a short picture session I let him on his way. As I continued to search for weeds camouflaged in the grass, I saw another one, I didn't want to catch this one and let it go about it's toad business.. Much to my shock a few feet later a third and a fourth. I was inundated with the specie..
It made me think back to a few evenings ago seeing a larger specimen fully camouflaged in an ant hill underneath the security light above the barn door. The large specimen was there for three nights fully camouflaged in the ant hill until my dog scared it away.. One evening I sat and drank my tea for a few minutes even getting the opportunity to watch it stick it's tongue out and grasp a sunset dinner.. Was this the mother? The father? Will never know..
That day made me remember earlier in the year when the night was serenaded with the sound of the common tree frog. Not thinking I sprayed the entire lawn for weeds, a few days later no longer heard the distinct sound of the frog. Had the toxins in the weed killer killed the frogs, sent them packing for a new location..
So I researched and the chemicals are highly toxic to frogs and reptiles.
That's when I determined I should only spot treat the lawnnin an effort to preserve our little friends.. Is it working? I believe yes, with the robust population of toads inhabitating the yard..
Please take all this into consideration when treating your lawn, what's more important a weed free lawn, or a healthy ecosystem
More Pics
After a short picture session I let him on his way. As I continued to search for weeds camouflaged in the grass, I saw another one, I didn't want to catch this one and let it go about it's toad business.. Much to my shock a few feet later a third and a fourth. I was inundated with the specie..
It made me think back to a few evenings ago seeing a larger specimen fully camouflaged in an ant hill underneath the security light above the barn door. The large specimen was there for three nights fully camouflaged in the ant hill until my dog scared it away.. One evening I sat and drank my tea for a few minutes even getting the opportunity to watch it stick it's tongue out and grasp a sunset dinner.. Was this the mother? The father? Will never know..
That day made me remember earlier in the year when the night was serenaded with the sound of the common tree frog. Not thinking I sprayed the entire lawn for weeds, a few days later no longer heard the distinct sound of the frog. Had the toxins in the weed killer killed the frogs, sent them packing for a new location..
So I researched and the chemicals are highly toxic to frogs and reptiles.
That's when I determined I should only spot treat the lawnnin an effort to preserve our little friends.. Is it working? I believe yes, with the robust population of toads inhabitating the yard..
Please take all this into consideration when treating your lawn, what's more important a weed free lawn, or a healthy ecosystem
More Pics