I want to share with you, dear readers, this interesting exchange today from my neighborhood listserv…
Problem: “We are not the only ones trying to escape the oppressive summer heat. Toads are being discovered in window wells throughout the area. They are drawn to the window wells at night when indoor lights are on and lots of tasty snacks are flittering around the lighted wells. But can they get out – even by making Super Toad Jumps? Their skin is very delicate [and] anything sharp and hard—like a shovel—or pointy—like a straw broom— risks injuring them. Maybe someone knows more about this and what to do? As we all know, finding toads or frogs gets high environmental marks. (P.S. Before you fill in or cover that small hole—around the stoop, next to the wall, or an old stump— make sure you're not asphyxiating a toad abode.)”
Solution: “…without aid, the toads are, indeed, facing an impossible escalade. The solution? A wooden board. Despite the perilous angle…toads have tiny toes with teensy toadie claws and suction-cups that will enable them to climb this fearsome Mt. Everest - a rougher surface is less daunting than a smooth surface. You could even provide a snack at the top — a toad sized bite of fresh raw hamburger or a bug of your own choosing! So check your wells. The toad you save, may be your own.”
I highly recommend reading this wonderful book: Toad by the Road: A Year in the Life of theses Amazing Amphibians, by Joanne Ryder, a collection of poetry which includes a brief paragraph of information about toads for each poem on nearly every page...
Cassandra ♥
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Well, it's not quite a toad but my son's dearest friend in the world is his froggy (stuffed). I DO love a toad, myself. My dad has suggested taking a broken flower pot and putting it upside down in the garden for a toad abode.
ReplyDeleteI loved your last post and there's something wonderful and funny about it BUT I am trying to paint my family room and must get back to it. Wish me luck!
Love, Katy
I will never look are a toad, or tadpole (for that matter) the same way after reading this...
ReplyDeleteI will be leaving some tasty morsels for my webbed feet friends...Thank you Cassandra this was very sweet!
The book looks great too.
Bisous
Dear Cassandra, How fascinating all of this is. Toads and frogs are not, as you may possibly imagine, my favourite creatures when coming face to face but I do recognise the need to preserve them and their habitat [the same for all wildlife] and so found what you have said here of great interest.
ReplyDeleteCassandra, I don't have window wells but if I did I would certainly participate in your Toad Rescue Program. I will try leaving some tasty treats outside their toad house in my garden. I love them and want them to stay around and eat my bugs. Thanks for a great post. Rosemary
ReplyDeleteHi Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteWith a lot of toads in our garden, and our large pond, we see many of them marching up and down the terrace, taking a plunge in the pond, or just hiding and peeping out of places we did not dream they would be. The other day I lifted up a pile of stocked flag stones and there were these little ones, but also a drama - one crawled too deep and had not been able to return to its original position. This is the forever story in my garden: happiness and drama.
The dogs look at them fascinated, come closer, pull back and the toad sits there startled, continuing its way in its funny manner. I talk to them when I find them.
All creatures in a garden are so fascinating and so beautiful at the same time.
Have a happy day, and thank you for having become one of my followers!
Jacoba
And all Mr. Jackson has to say is "Tiddly, Widdly, widdly, pouf, pouf, puff! As he blew the thistledown all over the room.
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