• Terry Harris
  • View Portfolio
  •  
  • Image 228 of 450
  • Added 04 Aug 2006
  • 647 Views
  • 12 Comments
  •  
  • Share This Image On...
Previous 228 of 450 Next
Toad Time Again

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.

12 Comments

Anonymous Guest

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.

Artist Reply: Thanks Christine! It's not the toad's fault it's poisoous, just a survial techniquie. They are great to have in the garden and around the yard if you don't have pets as they eat huge amounts of insects. They big ones get a bit creepy due to size and strength, but they deserve to be protected even more due to surviving the harnish of the desert so long. I used to put them in a fenced off area in my garden, but found they would tunnel out, or simply climb up and over chicken wire to get out. That was freaky to see.

Blue Doll 04 Aug 2006

what a frog he is.... very sharp picture well done

Artist Reply: Thanks Blue Doll, this one is a Colorado River Toad. We get about 5 or 6 varieties of desert toads.

Joke Schotting 04 Aug 2006

AN AMAZING SHOT ITS A BEAUTY,TERRY!!

Artist Reply: Thanks Joke! Never know what will show up in my yard.

bianca thomas 04 Aug 2006

this is amazing....so sharp...wonder what camera u use...and what lens was this taken with...awsome

Artist Reply: Thanks Bianca! I used a Canon S1 IS Powershot digital camera. I had put it in my bathtub and leaned in so not to have to zoom in. It leaped at me once or twice before I could get the shot. They are not timid toads.

Lucia Stewart 04 Aug 2006

Wow, fabulous shot!

Artist Reply: Thanks Lucia! I had it jumping in my bathtub while trying to get a good shot at it.

corry stuart 04 Aug 2006

Terry this is a gorgeous photo you outdid yourself here so clear and feels yakky and slippery LOL

Artist Reply: LOL! It was a big one and very slimy from squirting goo venom at me. I think he'd been in the water fountain I have my irrigation drip system fill at the end of some bushes on the ground. SO ulgy, it's cute. They alwasy look like there toes are burnt as they are black. They are burrowers, so these are strong to dig in hard dirt.

Loredana 04 Aug 2006

EXCELLENT TERRY WONDERFUL IMAGERY

Artist Reply: Thanks Loredana! I've been on toad watch at night to watch for them to come around my yard lights to eat. The way I have to chase them to catch them is a comedy to see.

Olga van Dijk 04 Aug 2006

==ohhh... he will be a Prince!!==

Artist Reply: Thanks Olga!, he can be one, just a few miles down the road, where there are no homes and pets to endanger.

Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen 04 Aug 2006

superb!! IT'S A BEAUTY!!!

Artist Reply: Thanks Nelly! It is a cool specium for a toad. Some think I'm nuts running around at night with a flashlight and a bucket to trap toads. LOL! I may start a new for of outdoor exercise.

thea walstra 04 Aug 2006

Splendid work Terry

Artist Reply: Thanks Thea! I might as well get some cool shots of the toads after all the trouble I go through at night hunting and catching them. I relocate them where they will be happy toads, and not endanger family pets.

Emily Reed 04 Aug 2006

Now he's a sweetheart!!!! Super pic, Terry!

Artist Reply: Thanks Emily! I used to love to catch bullfrogs and toads as a child, so toads are easy. These jump fast, so I get my brother to help corner them.