Anybody here a herpetologist? (1 Viewer)

[Dragonfly]

Amphibians? Anyone a specialist?

I got a toad question.

 

[spud_meister]

I have a lizard and a snake. And I'm saving up for a frog set-up. I probably can't help you, but ask anyway.

 

[Dragonfly]

There's a large toad that lives somewhere near my house. Tennis ball sized. Over the last few weeks this toad has made a habit of urinating and leaving a load of feces in the middle of the urine puddle on my driveway.

The poop is almost the size of a cigar butt. Shockingly large in my opinion.

This happens regardless of having the driveway light on or not.

My plan is to capture the toad and transplant the sucker to a new location farther away from my house and in a more natural setting.

What I'm wondering though, is why might this toad be leaving me such a present and why on my asphalt driveway of all places?

Do amphibians "mark" their territory? Is it a calling card for a mate? Just a coincidence?

This has happened at least a dozen times over the last 3-4 weeks. More than once it's been 3 or 4 nights in a row.

I'm just curious what natural wonder is happening on my driveway?

(aren't you happy you asked now....):mrgreen:

 

[spud_meister]

There's a large toad that lives somewhere near my house. Tennis ball sized. Over the last few weeks this toad has made a habit of urinating and leaving a load of feces in the middle of the urine puddle on my driveway.

The poop is almost the size of a cigar butt. Shockingly large in my opinion.

This happens regardless of having the driveway light on or not.

My plan is to capture the toad and transplant the sucker to a new location farther away from my house and in a more natural setting.

What I'm wondering though, is why might this toad be leaving me such a present and why on my asphalt driveway of all places?

Do amphibians "mark" their territory? Is it a calling card for a mate? Just a coincidence?

This has happened at least a dozen times over the last 3-4 weeks. More than once it's been 3 or 4 nights in a row.

I'm just curious what natural wonder is happening on my driveway?

(aren't you happy you asked now....):mrgreen:

Toads poop in the same spot, he's attracted to the bugs around your light, and he keeps pooping there by force of habit even when you turn the light off. If you kept the light off for a week he'd probably find a new spot to poop. If you moved him it's also likely he'd find his way back if it's a short distance, and a long distance wouldn't be healthy for him.

 

[ecofarm]

I just caught a little snake. It has round pupils and looks like a red rat snake. I put him in a jar, my friend and I are headed to the local reptile store to identify him. My friend might keep him (aquarium, etc).

 

[spud_meister]

I just caught a little snake. It has round pupils and looks like a red rat snake. I put him in a jar, my friend and I are headed to the local reptile store to identify him. My friend might keep him (aquarium, etc).

:lol: Last wild snake I saw was a Brown Snake, before that it was a Red-bellied Black Snake, and before that a Tiger Snake. Catching wild snakes is a foreign and deadly concept to me. Though I did see a non-venomous wild snake once, it was a Common Tree Snake.

 

[Dragonfly]

The light over the driveway is rarely on. I do however have some landscape lighting not far away.

He'll be moved a few hundred yards away, into a naturalized drainage area but also near the neighborhood street lighting.

 

[ecofarm]

:lol: Last wild snake I saw was a Brown Snake, before that it was a Red-bellied Black Snake, and before that a Tiger Snake. Catching wild snakes is a foreign and deadly concept to me. Though I did see a non-venomous wild snake once, it was a Common Tree Snake.

We only have 2 native venomous, rattle and coral (he's definitely neither). Goin' to the reptile store, bbiab.

 

[ecofarm]

It's a black racer (~1 foot long, a baby). My friend is gonna get an aquarium and keep him for a bit. As he probably already has parasites, we'll construct his habitat to include forest litter, a water dish, and a hiding place. Strange thing: after handling him for a bit, he no longer strikes at the glass of the large jar when someone gets close.

 

[Mr.Nick]

There's a large toad that lives somewhere near my house. Tennis ball sized. Over the last few weeks this toad has made a habit of urinating and leaving a load of feces in the middle of the urine puddle on my driveway.

The poop is almost the size of a cigar butt. Shockingly large in my opinion.

This happens regardless of having the driveway light on or not.

My plan is to capture the toad and transplant the sucker to a new location farther away from my house and in a more natural setting.

What I'm wondering though, is why might this toad be leaving me such a present and why on my asphalt driveway of all places?

Do amphibians "mark" their territory? Is it a calling card for a mate? Just a coincidence?

This has happened at least a dozen times over the last 3-4 weeks. More than once it's been 3 or 4 nights in a row.

I'm just curious what natural wonder is happening on my driveway?

(aren't you happy you asked now....):mrgreen:

There are probably many toads so moving just one probably wouldn't solve your problem.

I know toads **** and piss themselves when they get frightened....

As far as marking territory, I doubt toads would considering they cant fight.

IMO, I think the toad likes your driveway because it's probably warm from solar radiation.

 

[Dragonfly]

No....there's one toad in particular.

I'm going with the "cloak of darkness" approach and hope the toad naturally moves on.

I've had landscape lighting for decades now - first time I've ever had this issue.

I'll give the darkness a two week test run to see if toad moves on.

 

[wolfie]

It's a black racer (~1 foot long, a baby). My friend is gonna get an aquarium and keep him for a bit. As he probably already has parasites, we'll construct his habitat to include forest litter, a water dish, and a hiding place. Strange thing: after handling him for a bit, he no longer strikes at the glass of the large jar when someone gets close.

Why don't you just let him go??

He is wild....

If there is one thing I hate.. it is captive wild animals..

 

[ecofarm]

Why don't you just let him go??

He is wild....

If there is one thing I hate.. it is captive wild animals..

Oh, please. My friend is gonna take good care and will probably let it go after it eats.

Keep eating that industrial meat and animal by-product, and save the sympathy for someone who does.

 

[ecofarm]

My friend is communing with nature, that's worth something. And there are no truly "wild" animals, preservation is a myth.

 

[Fisher]

My friend is communing with nature, that's worth something. And there are no truly "wild" animals, preservation is a myth.

So we can put you in a set of floaties and drop you in a waterhole in the middle of Africa with hippos and crocs and you will be dandy?

 

[Fisher]

I have toads. They don't bother me. Wish we had more toads, but I suspect that my riding mower probably keeps the juvenile population down. Same for terrapins.

 

[ecofarm]

So we can put you in a set of floaties and drop you in a waterhole in the middle of Africa with hippos and crocs and you will be dandy?

A name of mine is Daniel.

 

[ecofarm]

It didn't eat the 'pinkie' last night. We decided to release it into the woods, with the food. It took shelter at a 'tee-pee' of sticks and we put the 'pinkie' near it. Having a smoke (my friend's antics) and a fresh dish at the new shelter, I think no damage was done (given sociological implications), especially considering recent weather.

 

[wolfie]

Keep eating that industrial meat and animal by-product....

I do care.I care that people take wild creatures from their natural environment and put them in an over heated fish tank in their front rooms to be poked and goggled at by anyone who wishes to..And stupidly think they are ''saving'' them!!

 

[Dragonfly]

All outside lights have been off for about a week now. No more toad pee and poop in driveway.

Woot.

Gonna leave lights off for another week and hope the critter has permanently moved on to brighter surroundings.

 

[ecofarm]

I do care.I care that people take wild creatures from their natural environment and put them in an over heated fish tank in their front rooms to be poked and goggled at by anyone who wishes to..And stupidly think they are ''saving'' them!!

1. Spare me the disturbed woodlot preservationism, that's nonsense.
2. Spare me the poked at and goggled, like people don't own pets.
3. No one thinks they are saving anything.

You're being overly emotional in an ignorant attempt at self righteousness.

 

[wolfie]

1. Spare me the disturbed woodlot preservationism, that's nonsense.
2. Spare me the poked at and goggled, like people don't own pets.
3. No one thinks they are saving anything.

You're being overly emotional in an ignorant attempt at self righteousness.

You know what you did was naughty..no need to insult me...
Actually I do worry about you..you ask me personal questions..(as you've asked others) and then throw it in the posters face..

I am not ashamed I work in the meat industry as a stock controller..I would be more ashamed if I had nothing else to do except snipe at people who have confided in me!!

 

[ecofarm]

I work in the meat industry as a stock controller...

Oh, the humanity.

 

[wolfie]

Oh, the humanity.

Wasn't it you that a bent cop with six children confided in you?

And you betrayed his trust..

Get back into your hole..Judas!!

You have asked me many personal questions...I thought about telling you..but then I thought..Nah!!

 

[ecofarm]

Wasn't it you that a bent cop with six children confided in you?

And you betrayed his trust..

Get back into your hole..Judas!!

You have asked me many personal questions...I thought about telling you..but then I thought..Nah!!

I'm sorry you're upset about someone, but we're not in the Basement. I'm just glad we've clear evidence of your hysterical emotion and obvious attempt to attack me personally.

No one "confided" in me. I don't use PMs. I get all my info public.