Toad breeding - Ask Extension
I was collecting the “lost” toads in my yard. Turns out, the first 4 were female, two days ago a fifth smaller one showed up. He immediately latch...
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Toad breeding #795272
Asked June 10, 2022, 12:31 PM EDT
I was collecting the “lost” toads in my yard. Turns out, the first 4 were female, two days ago a fifth smaller one showed up. He immediately latched on to the largest female and will not let go. We are now into day 3. We are just trying to return the male to his home. Any advice would be welcome.
The photo is hard to see since the female is hiding, but it is the male on her back in the rear of the enclosure.
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Extension with your question. Toads are quite common in yards and unlike frogs, they do not require unlimited access to water. Toads tend to live away from water, except when mating, and like to live in shaded areas under leaf litter, log piles and in burrows. Gardens or outdoor lights that attract insects will, in turn, attract toads.
If there is a not a specific threat to them in your yard, I would advise you let them be (males and females). The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that a single adult toad can eat 10,000 insects during the summer months, so they make excellent garden neighbors! If you have a water source, even temporary, toads may use it as a breeding ground.
It is toad mating season, hence why you are seeing this behavior. I would advise you simply put the toads back near a water source. The male will stay attached to the female until she lays her eggs in the water. The mating behavior you are seeing is called “Amplexus”. Most male frogs fertilize a female's eggs externally by depositing sperm onto the eggs as the female lays them. In order to be in position to do this when a female is ready to lay, the male frog initiates direct contact with the female until she lays the eggs. The pair will likely stay in amplexus until they mate or another male separates them. Which is why you are seeing them staying together.
Just a reminder, do not handle toads or other amphibians when you have insect repellent, sunscreen or soap on your hands. They can be harmed or even killed by chemicals we consider harmless. Keep hands moist or wear clean garden gloves when handling if possible. You can learn more about protecting frogs and toads in this MSU Extension factsheet Smart Gardening for Shorelands: Keep it Clean to Protect Frogs and Toads: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-for-shorelands-keep-it-clean-to-protect-frogs-and-toads
Thanks!
Thank you for reaching out to Extension with your question. Toads are quite common in yards and unlike frogs, they do not require unlimited access to water. Toads tend to live away from water, except when mating, and like to live in shaded areas under leaf litter, log piles and in burrows. Gardens or outdoor lights that attract insects will, in turn, attract toads.
If there is a not a specific threat to them in your yard, I would advise you let them be (males and females). The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that a single adult toad can eat 10,000 insects during the summer months, so they make excellent garden neighbors! If you have a water source, even temporary, toads may use it as a breeding ground.
It is toad mating season, hence why you are seeing this behavior. I would advise you simply put the toads back near a water source. The male will stay attached to the female until she lays her eggs in the water. The mating behavior you are seeing is called “Amplexus”. Most male frogs fertilize a female's eggs externally by depositing sperm onto the eggs as the female lays them. In order to be in position to do this when a female is ready to lay, the male frog initiates direct contact with the female until she lays the eggs. The pair will likely stay in amplexus until they mate or another male separates them. Which is why you are seeing them staying together.
Just a reminder, do not handle toads or other amphibians when you have insect repellent, sunscreen or soap on your hands. They can be harmed or even killed by chemicals we consider harmless. Keep hands moist or wear clean garden gloves when handling if possible. You can learn more about protecting frogs and toads in this MSU Extension factsheet Smart Gardening for Shorelands: Keep it Clean to Protect Frogs and Toads: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-for-shorelands-keep-it-clean-to-protect-frogs-and-toads
Thanks!
