I am wondering of course if this new "plague" could be the offspring of Toad a few generations down the line. Whereas Toad pictured here was a full three and a half or four inches long, this new crop seems to average about three and a half to four centimeters in length. Fortunately to date we have neither stepped on one nor churned one up in a mower or weed whacker.Perhaps the icon that resides by the garage door on a permanent basis is the welcoming factor in this recent invasion.
Given the prodigious number of insects the little rascals consume, we are happy to see them about.
Word of the day: prodigious
8 comments:
It's been years since I've seen a toad, but I remember Mom used to warn us that picking them up would cause warts on our hands. Maybe an old wives tale - maybe Mom didn't want those ugly little creatures in her house.
So of course I had to look up the differences between toads and frogs (HERE. Which led me to take a quick look at Bufo frogs (because they are kinda ugly and huge) which are really toads and (who knew) poisonous. I only mention them because I find frogs/toads/lizards attractive. I think they are cute and frogs have such soft, velvety tummies.
An earth-bound fly catcher. Great!
Vee, perhaps both. Mom probably believed what she said and I am certain she did not want them in the house. I remember going up the hill across from BTS and capturing horned toads (lizards, really) and taking them home to play with and I suspect Mom did not care for that, either.
Grace, I think they are very interesting creatures. See comment to Vee.
Chuck, it is beyond fascinating to observe the speed with which a fly is dispatched. Now you see it, now you don't.
We had a toad...ONCE...years ago. And we kept looking at him under the hostas, so he got mad and left our yard. :(
I know that a lot of people are freaked out by frogs and toads. I'm glad you look out for them and are careful around them. Nothing worse than a Flat Stanley.
Lin, guess your toad resented the invasion of his privacy. We do try to avoid hosting a flat Stanley or a pureed amphibian.
A bullfrog lived in the pond behind my house in Elburn. Oh the noises it made during mating season!
Ilene when we had the lake place JoAnn on occasion threatened to leave if the frogs and the crickets didn't cool it. :-)
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