It toad time in the desert again, so I've been out at night catching them to relocate them away from my property. There are about 6 varieties in the Arizona desert, the main one we find are the Colorado River Toads. They hybernate during the fall to June when they come up after enough Summer rains to spawn and feed until fall and hybernate again. They are bulky toads, and this one was about 10 inches long in length, and bigger than two larger mens fist side to side. This kind can grow as big as a dinner plate, and my brother saw one once almost wedged in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket. I wouldn't mind having them around, they come out at night and feed on bugs, smaller toads, even mice. They will squirt a goo from glands behind their ears, which is poisonous, and can kill even a large dog. Their skin can ooze it into dogwater bowls, which they will hop in. SO, my dogs get locked up in a smaller fenced yard when they come out during the summer. I've seen them climb over chicken wire, so not a deterent to keep them out the yard. I've less each year since I relocate them. My husky, Nieve will not leave them alone, and the goo he ingest from carrying the toads around like a ball if he gets a hold of one and it swells his tongue, he will come in with his tongue like a snake, his legs give out, and he's so stoned from the goo we have to take him out to hose out his mouth, feed him hotdogs to flush it out of his throat and system. He recovers in a half hour and wants to hunt them again. He trips off the acid like side effects. Stoner dumb dog. Most dogs would die. Don't try eating the stuff to get high, it would possibly kill you and swell your throat shut. Freaky toads that my dog that died from cancer, a hunter , used to bite them from behind, rince her mouth. I'd find dried mummy toads in the yard. Not even a ant or fly would touch them. They look like wrestling sumo toads. This is the 5th one we found this summer, less than last year.
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tazda lawson 07 Aug 2006
MMmmmm I wonder if they will make good frog legs.Christine brand 04 Aug 2006
What a Huge one!! Very interesting information...I know you, you are so Kind even to these creatures. What a wonderful heart you have to not harm them. Some people would enjoy killing these...Well, some would. It is wonderful to see that you respect these creatures even though they are poisonous. I love this shot. Actually this is quite a handsome specimen. I love hearing about him, Terry. Thanks for sharing with us. I appreciate someone who strives to see the value of all life.Blue Doll 04 Aug 2006
what a frog he is.... very sharp picture well doneJoke Schotting 04 Aug 2006
AN AMAZING SHOT ITS A BEAUTY,TERRY!!bianca thomas 04 Aug 2006
this is amazing....so sharp...wonder what camera u use...and what lens was this taken with...awsome