TOADS ON THE ROAD

Tired toads are hitting the road for their annual celebration, and the road is hitting back, flattening them with merciless tires

By GRID-Arendal

April 22^nd, 2021

Toads are a great asset in your garden. They feed on beetles, crickets, flies, ants and other insects. Larger toad species even eat small rodents and snakes. And they are considered a number one eliminator of slugs and garden snails. They can even eat their eggs. They are strictly carnivorous, so do not affect plants. When it comes to natural pest control, you can’t do better than maintain a healthy toad population on your property.

Toads crossing the road. Photo: Stoke Sentinel.

Toads live in the soil, hibernate in winter and mate in water bodies, usually small ponds. They stay faithful to their birthplace and migrate there every year from the range of several kilometers, using magnetic and visual orientation cues, often using the roads to move along, where they are blinded by headlights and killed by cars. Up to 30% die on the roads. Toads can live up to 50 years in captivity, however, their average lifespan is 10-12 years due to high mortality. Their seasonal migrations to ponds take 7-10 days, depending on distance. In this period, they are extremely vulnerable and should be assisted in road crossing, carrying them over to a nearest pond in buckets.

Toad Crossing Sign. Photo: The Living Coast.

It should be noted, though, that their skin is toxic, producing bufotoxin to defend themselves from predators. In low concentrations it is a heart muscle stimulator, like digitalis. In high concentration it can be dangerous, causing cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms, so it is not advised to take them by bare hands. At the same time, toads are highly susceptible to environmental toxins like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other pollutants. Thus, their presence indicates a very healthy environment.

What can you do to help to save the friends of your garden? If you live close to a pond where toads migrate for breeding, you can take a bucket, gloves and a torch, walk on your local road in the dusk, collect toads from the road and transport them and release in a nearby pond. It is a nice evening exercise and quite fun. You can also make a toad abode in your garden by half-burying a clay pot on its side in the soil, and happy toads will thank you with taking the pest control over your property.

GRID-Arendal's Valentin Emelin helping a friendly toad on its journey.

References:

https://thelivingcoast.org.uk/news/two-straight-months-of-toads-well-almost

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2020/03/03/mating-toads-closes-road-in-south-london/

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/villagers-come-rescue-thousands-horny-4894195

This story was written by Valentin Emelin, Head of GRID-Arendal's Transboundary Governance and Environmental Crime Programme, to mark Earth Day 2021.