Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by E. Charleen. Harrell z7b on August 9, 2010 at 4:51pm

Wilber is a nice name for a toad.

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on August 9, 2010 at 5:57pm

Oh Sue, I'm so envious! I have been tryign to attract a toad and have had no luck. We've always had a least on toad in our garden at other places we have lived, but not here. I have a toad abode, plenty of moist lush cover, lord knows we've got bugs to eat. i'm hoping that the additon of a pond next spring will bring us a toad and maybe a frog or two. Until then. I'l just have to be happy with my frog / toad garden ornaments.

Permalink Reply by Sharon Robinson (Z4, ND, USA) on January 19, 2011 at 12:04pm

Tammy, do you have a lot of cats or a dog as a pet?  Sometimes toads will avoid them because cats try and eat them and dogs harrass them, seeing them as intruders on their territory.  We had a dog that considered birds poachers on his territory, and went after them.  He actually ended up in a tug a war with a Golden Eagle that came in an grabbed a turkey we were raising.  The dog tolerated the turkeys, barely, but the Eagle was definitely an intruder.  The Eagle won the war, and the Turkey, but the dog was proud of himself none the less.  The pup we got when that dog was older, has learned from the older one that if they don't live there, they are intruders. He's battled raccoons, mink, and considered badgers, but is smart enough to leave them alone.  he's also stood his ground between Coyotes and calves, barking like the insane to alert us of the danger.  But sadly like you, we have no toads, only a little frog last year. The cats are half feral and the dog has no use for toads.

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on January 19, 2011 at 12:24pm

Thanks for your insight Sharon.  I do have three dogs and three cats.  The cats are inside only, so they shold not be a problem and the dogs are always leashed outside as my small yard is not fenced and is mostly gardens in which I would rather not have the dogs romping.  I have two Pekingese.  The little one, Stewie could careless, doing so is simply beneath him and Zack is 17, blind and deaf, so a toad would have to hop over and tap him on the shoulder for him to notice.  My bigger dog, Vienna is an Amstaff and while she is fun loving and rowdy, she is not at all observant and would not even notice a frog or toad.   She is my gardening buddy and is always outside when I am. She often naps on her patio bed while I work in the yard and it is not at all uncommon for the squirrels and bunnies to literally hop right over her with her noticing.   Yup, that's my killer "pit bull".

Permalink Reply by CathyV on August 10, 2010 at 8:34am

I'd love to see a picture of Wilbur. Great name.

Permalink Reply by Tammy Zaluzney on August 11, 2010 at 6:54pm

Love him.

Permalink Reply by E. Charleen. Harrell z7b on December 16, 2010 at 7:43am

that is a Great picture.  Very nice Frog.  Love the reflection of his eyes back into the pond.  I know they love their new freedom.  How wonderful of you.   I love frogs.

Susan Graney (Sue) said:

This is a common European toad - Bufo Bufo. Several were visitors to my French garden pond.  When we sold the house in the spring,  the buyers told us that they were going to dig the pond up and replace it with a swimming pool.  Horrified, we re-homed the goldfish and then set about catching 10 toads who had returned to the pond to............. well you know what ;-)  They were liberated in a still offshoot of the river Dordogne and wished them 'une bonne vie'.

Permalink Reply by CathyV on December 16, 2010 at 8:19am

Sue, Your toad photo is wonderful; what beautiful eyes.  He looks very content in the pond.