[CH] Andy's Toad ~~ what's it's name?
Tantrika (hummer13@earthlink.net)
Mon, 05 Jul 1999 19:19:07 -0700
Andy how LUCKY for you!
Indeed Toads can get as fat as a dinner plate. They are marvelous critters
to have in your garden. Considering Amphibians, even though this is a
critter who can live with relatively lite water, are indicator species of
the health of the world ecosystem, your greater environment and your own
small biosphere, your having a toad in your garden is a great indicator
that you are doing the RIGHT thing, in terms of your garden. And your
garden is providing a home for a very important species :), in terms of the
greater health of your garden, yourself, your family, your community, your
world. Feel proud...ya done good and your garden is healthy!
As to your dogs, well, it's relatively obvious why they don't eat
it....Toads have a noxious taste, indeed a light toxin in their skin that
makes them unpatable to most higher level carnivores. I just hope I have
that kind of taste to another predatory species that's of a different
species :).
I think you indicated you already have a number of little toady habitats
for this critter, but in case you haven't *consciously* created a place for
it, take a 12 inch (since he's so *big*) terracotta pot, knock out a bit of
a the edge of the top of the pot that's large enough for a fat toad to let
him hop/crawl in and turn it upside down in an inconspicuous spot in your
garden, preferably a shady spot.
Good luck with your toad...name it! :)
CROAK!
Joy