To my utter astonishment and total delight I spotted a baby toad in the garden this evening. It's the first toad I've seen in the 5 years we've lived here. We used to have plenty at our old place, and at certain times of the year would watch them hunting down flying ants, sending out their tongue to pull them out of the air. We got to the stage where we could predict which individual ant they were after!
Toads have always struck me as much more intelligent than frogs, moving with a careful determination rather than the somewhat random hopping of frogs. Their favoured method of deterring predators is standing stock still, which is probably why I spotted this little one. He's about an inch in length, but perfectly formed (warts and all).
To give an idea of size, here's a photo from a few days ago of one of the cubs by the wall where I spotted the toad.
SittingFox
13 Oct 2006I assume he's thriving in the balmy micro-climate of the South Downs! Here in the north (heh) our amphibians seem to have packed it in for the winter. Maybe he will hibernate in your garden? Great photo of the fox and the torch, too 🙂
ALLY_G
14 Oct 2006Wonderful photos!
The same here in Blackforest: the nights are very cold now and our amphibians seem to have packed it in for the winter.
anonymous
15 Jul 2007ayla writes:
WHAT DO BABY TOADS EAT!!!!!
Words
15 Jul 2007Insects I think!