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Getting To Know You => Laid Back Lounge => Topic started by: Gawen on April 08, 2012, 01:59:47 PM

Title: I have a toad...
Post by: Gawen on April 08, 2012, 01:59:47 PM
Some title, eh?...*chucklin'*

I found out that toads live anywhere from 4-15 years. I never would have thought it. But for the last several years I've had this toad that likes to sit on the back door stoop under the light and catch bugs. There is only one toad and he's/she's rather large; I can't put my hand all the way around him, but I like to think he's been the one outside by back door all this time. Every night he comes out just after the sun sets and sits on a 3x3 foot piece of concrete. Sometimes he sits closer to the wall, sometimes he get in the grass.

The June bugs are out now. The big dark brown ones. Note: Texas has two June bugs, the aforementioned and a smaller and lighter coloured variety (They're not out yet). Last night my toad was sitting a few inches in the grass catching June bugs. Simply fascinating!

Well, I like the bugger so much I made a home for him next to the house. I dug about two handfuls of dirt and placed a few boards over it, with two ways he can get out. This keeps my dogs from harassing him. Well, Apollo, the Elder doesn't bother with toads anymore, now that he's grown out of puppyhood. But Sadie is still firmly entrenched in puppyhood. This morning, I have the back door opened and I hear her growling. I already know she's growling at the toad...and sure enough. So I picked him up and set him under his board house. Lucky for Toad, she doesn't think of pawing or biting at him.

I like toads. Fascinating creatures.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: DeterminedJuliet on April 08, 2012, 02:34:51 PM
I like toads, too. I've tended to live more in "frog" areas, but I do remember coming home a couple of times to a fat little toad when we lived in Newfoundland. He was always in the same spot every evening. Just sitting there - doing his toad thing. They're like little sentinels. I like them.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: The Magic Pudding on April 08, 2012, 03:56:47 PM
I like frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, cicadas, big stick insects and most things that don't bite me.
We have a problem with introduced toads but I won't bore you with that.

What's his/her name?
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Ali on April 08, 2012, 04:07:15 PM
I love it that you made him a little house.  That makes me smile.   :D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Tank on April 08, 2012, 04:12:39 PM
Who's a big softy then!

I have a frog house in my garden  ;D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Sweetdeath on April 08, 2012, 06:25:32 PM
Toads are awesome. Maybe pics next time in his little home? :)
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Buddy on April 08, 2012, 07:45:49 PM
Yes, defiantly needs pictures! And a name too, like Melvin or something.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Tank on April 08, 2012, 08:01:08 PM
Quote from: Budhorse4 on April 08, 2012, 07:45:49 PM
Yes, defiantly needs pictures! And a name too, like Melvin or something.
Terry?
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Gawen on April 08, 2012, 09:53:09 PM
Names...

I've narrowed it down to two choices.

Norbert
or
Penfold

You guys choose.

I'll try for some pics.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Tank on April 08, 2012, 10:01:50 PM
Either would be fine. I'm sort of liking Norbert.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Buddy on April 08, 2012, 10:40:17 PM
I like Norbert as well.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: The Magic Pudding on April 09, 2012, 02:24:59 AM
Terry Jones played Toad in Wind In The Willows.
Terry is a good toad name, it's also asexual.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Gawen on April 09, 2012, 02:52:59 AM
Well, I went out to get some pics, but he wasn't out. I lifted up his board and he wasn't under there either. Didn't matter anyway, the camera batteries were dead...*chucklin'*

Try again tomorrow...
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Buddy on April 09, 2012, 03:30:38 AM
Just act like you don't want him around or that you are allergic to him. He will come hopping right over.

Oh wait, that's cats. Never mind.  ;D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Ali on April 09, 2012, 06:09:33 PM
I like Terry.  Normal people names for animals are funny.  Like naming a dog "Keith" or something.  ;D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: OldGit on April 09, 2012, 06:38:52 PM
Have a laugh by calling him by a name for the wrong animal.  How about 'Tiddles' or 'Rover' or 'Dobbin'?  Or there's 'Fido', Fleetwing', 'Fluffy'  ...
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Tank on April 09, 2012, 06:48:19 PM
Tiddles would be good!
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Ihateyoumike on April 10, 2012, 03:12:28 AM
I'd name him wet sprocket.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Sweetdeath on April 10, 2012, 06:11:42 AM
Name him... Grover Cleeveland. :)

Or.. Samuel F. Radson.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Gawen on April 11, 2012, 03:05:49 AM
Finally!!!

Since I told you about...Norbert...he's been missing. But tonight I found him under his board.
Here are the boards he hides under:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1659.jpg&hash=b85d223ecc18c9b7eed0b51ac36c3be7cd80342c)

And under the boards tonight?
Behold....
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F100_1660.jpg&hash=6f8938e990ff9072593c6e31ab2bf8f9ac2946c8)

Yes, that brown blob is Norbert
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Sweetdeath on April 11, 2012, 06:38:44 AM
Aww, what a cutie! :)
And Norbert is a great name for him.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: OldGit on April 11, 2012, 09:47:06 AM
Hello, Norbert!  You look cute.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Buddy on April 11, 2012, 12:44:43 PM
Aww! He's adorable!
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Siz on April 11, 2012, 12:52:25 PM
Hey Git, you volunteering to stand guard against hungry Frenchmen?

Norbert's in safe hands!

Just for fun here're some interesting frog facts (most notably that Toads are, in fact, a subset of frogs):

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/frogs/frogfacts/ (http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/frogs/frogfacts/)
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: OldGit on April 11, 2012, 02:36:22 PM
Quote from: ScissorlegsHey Git, you volunteering to stand guard against hungry Frenchmen?

Oui, mon Capitaine!
But I dunno if they eat toads, as opposed to frogs.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: The Magic Pudding on April 11, 2012, 02:49:28 PM
Quote from: OldGit on April 11, 2012, 02:36:22 PM
Quote from: ScissorlegsHey Git, you volunteering to stand guard against hungry Frenchmen?

Oui, mon Capitaine!
But I dunno if they eat toads, as opposed to frogs.

I hope not, that would be wasteful they are reusable.
You lick them give them a juicy insect and let 'em go.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Siz on April 11, 2012, 03:28:54 PM
Quote from: OldGit on April 11, 2012, 02:36:22 PM
Quote from: ScissorlegsHey Git, you volunteering to stand guard against hungry Frenchmen?

Oui, mon Capitaine!
But I dunno if they eat toads, as opposed to frogs.

Actually, thinking about it, Git-of-Siz might make the perfect sentry... And Guardian is due for his millennium assimilation too, so he can cover you for afternoon naps!
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Buddy on April 11, 2012, 03:31:34 PM
Quote from: Scissorlegs on April 11, 2012, 03:28:54 PM
Quote from: OldGit on April 11, 2012, 02:36:22 PM
Quote from: ScissorlegsHey Git, you volunteering to stand guard against hungry Frenchmen?

Oui, mon Capitaine!
But I dunno if they eat toads, as opposed to frogs.

Actually, thinking about it, Git-of-Siz might make the perfect sentry... And Guardian is due for his millennium assimilation too, so he can cover you for afternoon naps!

Plus his name is Guardian. I mean, what better job for him than to guard a toad.  ;D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: DeterminedJuliet on April 12, 2012, 12:25:15 AM
Hello, little Norbie. Let's be friends.
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Too Few Lions on April 12, 2012, 12:58:42 PM
that's one damn cute toad Gawen, make sure you find lots of nice juicy worms and things for Norbert to eat
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Beachdragon on April 12, 2012, 06:38:34 PM
Aw, toads are fun!  They really come out in the spring time here in Northern Virginia.  And we have tree frogs that come out and sing at night.  We call them Spring Peepers.  It's just not spring with out their chorus!

Then a little later, when the spring rains come, if you live near a wooded area, sometimes the toads come out and cover the road and hop around.  It's easy to see where people get the idea of it's raining frogs! 

I think of them as little friends who help out in the garden.   :)
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Ali on April 12, 2012, 07:59:01 PM
Awww.  Norbie!  <3
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Tank on April 12, 2012, 08:17:14 PM
How many toads can you see in this picture I took at Lotherton Hall?

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg14.imageshack.us%2Fimg14%2F2344%2Fdsc05137x.jpg&hash=477b16d9cb8090f391fb0b4a17bdcbf38b3d3db1)
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: DeterminedJuliet on April 12, 2012, 08:17:51 PM
BABY TOADIES! :D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Buddy on April 12, 2012, 08:19:21 PM
AWWWWWWWW I want one!  ;D
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Beachdragon on April 13, 2012, 04:02:35 PM
There's a cricket on it's back too!  Frog, "There is a cricket on my back, eeehhh eerrrrhhh can't reach it!"
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Sweetdeath on April 13, 2012, 06:07:39 PM
Quote from: Beachdragon on April 13, 2012, 04:02:35 PM
There's a cricket on it's back too!  Frog, "There is a cricket on my back, eeehhh eerrrrhhh can't reach it!"

Haha! So cute~
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Gawen on April 20, 2012, 03:42:37 PM
Norbert has a friend:

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F009.jpg&hash=34bf4c70b0ff81eb3996f181212db94f5f79a1f2)

Problem is I now don't know which one's Norbert!!

So I picked up the largest one and took a photo. Now you can see he's pretty good sized.

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv298%2FGawen%2F008.jpg&hash=8080781fa2ca686f3fb3ad860370934eb746fe9e)
Title: Re: I have a toad...
Post by: Tank on April 20, 2012, 06:48:17 PM
This is really good. Amphibians in general are in a bit of a decline. It's nice to see a bit of population growth.