A Toad in the Garden
New Wildlife in the Garden
I'm not a herpetologist; however, after a quick bit of research, I believe that this is a 'Western toad' (makes sense, but it could easily be another one). It's always fun to discover new wildlife in the garden. Even if the wildlife is fairly common. The discovery can also be a tad startling, if you aren't expecting it. I almost stepped right on top of this little fellow(?).
Benefits of a Toad in Your Garden
Having one or more of these little amphibian predators in the garden helps to keep insect populations in check naturally. They will eat crickets, flies, ants, slugs, worms, beetles...just about anything moving that they can stuff into their mouths.
What Kind of Habitat Does a Toad Like?
Toads like long grass, taller plants, brush, rock piles, leaf piles, and anywhere else they can hide away from the sun and predators. I have found a toad in a dirt pile and also in taller grass near a burn pile. They also like damp areas and need water deep enough for their eggs and tadpoles.
Because toads have highly permeable skin, they are very sensitive to pollution and chemicals. So, minimize (or eliminate) your use of chemicals and, if you must use them, think about proper timing and location of application. If you have toads in your garden, it seems a likely indicator that it is clean and healthy enough for them to inhabit the space.
Do you have toads in your garden? Where do you find them?
Weedy Pete
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