Adult Toad

Toad discovered under plank of wood

We used to have to watch for hedgehogs hiding in our wood piles now we have to watch for toads. 

This adult toad was discovered living under a pile of wooden planks that we had left in front of the Little House until we had time to cut them. I felt a bit mean moving him as he had hollowed out a small depression in the soil and seemed very much at home but staying there he would have been trodden on and baked in the midday sun.

Toads are fascinating creatures and quite different from frogs. They are very difficult to see as their brown skin is perfect camouflage against mud. If they are disturbed they sit tight while frogs hop away. They tend to walk with a lumbering gait rather than hop and they have dry, warty looking skin rather than the wet, smooth skin of a frog. If you ever have to move a toad the best way is to gently bring your hands around the body of the toad, sliding them under the body as you bring them together. Young toads move about in your hands but the older ones just sit put so it is easy to carry them to a safe place. We usually put them either in the wood pile in 'Toad Hall' or under the lavender bushes. You may find you need to encourage the toad to move off your hands when you try to put it down and often they will sit still for a few moments before eventually moving off to somewhere dark and comfortable. Always make sure you wear gloves before picking up a toad as they secrete a liquid from their skin that can irritate your skin.

Toad discovered under plank of wood