I'm going to be a mom!!!

[michey1st]

... of toads! Found a string of them in my water hyacinth this morning! We moved them into a quiet area of the middle pond (where there are no fish and no risk of getting sucked into the pump) to see what happens. I'm a bit worried the tads will get caught up in the current and end up in the lower pond anyway, but I've done what I can... the rest is up to God.

First time toady-parent here... pardon my excitement

 

[Priscilla]

Congratulations! At least you won't have to do diapers for them! Lol!

 

[addy1]

How neat! You will find they are survivors. One day you will be out by your pond and see tons of tiny, under 1/2 inch hoppers hopping away, cute little things.

 

[sissy]

believe me soon you see so many you won't know what to do

 

[callingcolleen1]

wish I could have baby frogs!! How come you guys down south all get frogs in your ponds and all I get is snakes and monster dragon fly babies!! Must be nice to have babies on the way!

 

[j.w]

 

[michey1st]

Don't worry, JW, we have our fair share of snakes and dragonflies too! A few weeks back, we had a different toad hanging around, until he found his way into the mouth of a garter snake =( And I have photos to prove it >.< As morbid as it sounds, it was rather comical to watch the garter snake try to lumber off with a big old toad-sized lump in his tummy.

Then yesterday, early in the morning, we were flocked by hundreds of teeny, tiny dragonflies emerging from the forest. At least, I think they were dragonflies -- had 4 wings and probably 1/2" long. Not quite sure what THAT was about, but it was really cool to be in the middle of.

I'm such a dork! Been outside to check on the eggs, like, 4 times in about 2 hours. They. look. exactly. the. same. LOL!

 

[michey1st]

And i'm a bonehead! I meant, don't worry COLLEEN! Gah... I must have pregger toad hormones kicking in and making me loopy >.<

 

[j.w]

Yep you had me going there for a minute till I looked at Colleens post

 

[Catfishnut]

Michey1st,

Forgive me if I am wrong, but aren't you supposed to be kissing a FROG instead of a TOAD? I think that is what I have always read and heard before. Now look what trouble you've gotten yourself into here! All those baby toads to feed and no frog prince! LOL

Forgive me for the jocularities on this one, but it just sounded rather unusual for anyone to get ecstatic over "toad" eggs as opposed to "frog" eggs. To be honest, I wouldn't know the difference (at the egg stage) between them.

Anyway, Congratulations! Because that is a really special treat to have unfold in your pond! It is going to be an exciting, educational and rewarding experience to witness! I wish you and your babies good luck! Hope you are fortunate enough to get to see them emerge from the eggs and swim away and then develope into four legged juvenile delinquents, I mean toads!

Gordy

 

[michey1st]

LOL Gordy! This would explain the strange bump on my chin that has mysteriously appeared! Here I thought it was just a rather annoying bout of acne, but maybe i'm starting to get a l'il warty? Don't tell my other half (who also happens to be a Gordy, btw!)

I wonder if I should have a toady shower to celebrate my pending motherhood? I already have plenty of algae, perhaps I should ask for some mosquitos? maybe toad lilies? And to priscilla's point, NO DIAPERS!

The father is still hanging around - he sang for us last night. NO DEADBEAT DADS HERE!!!!

Love is definitely in the air... we witnessed all sorts of crazy goldfish shenanigans last night too. Trying to swim up the waterfall, zipping around like crazy. I moved a big old corkscrew rush with a surprisingly HUGE root system from the bog to the lower pond to act as a little extra cover and possible nursery ward "just in case" more eggies show up.

Here's hoping my pond water doesn't break. That would be messy......

 

[addy1]

Michey1st,

To be honest, I wouldn't know the difference (at the egg stage) between them.

Gordy

Toads lay eggs in strings, two eggs next to each other . Frog eggs are a mass of eggs floating in jelly like stuff not my picture but this is what toad eggs tend to look like

"Instead of laying their eggs in masses, toads lay eggs in long tubes. Really long -- a strand of several thousand eggs can stretch 20 to 60 feet"

 

[michey1st]

Cigars all around -- they hatched! (pardon the glare)

 

[Catfishnut]

Toads lay eggs in strings, two eggs next to each other . Frog eggs are a mass of eggs floating in jelly like stuff not my picture but this is what toad eggs tend to look like

"Instead of laying their eggs in masses, toads lay eggs in long tubes. Really long -- a strand of several thousand eggs can stretch 20 to 60 feet"

Excellent picture to illustrate the toad eggs Addy!

I have witnessed lots of frog egg masses, but never toad eggs.

20 to 60 feet huh? Good thing humans don't "give birth" in such a way, it would make for an odd dialog at the maternity ward: "Yes Maam, the time has come for your birth. Would you like a gurney and we'll wheel you up and down the hallway a few times and back? Or do you just want to hop it along yourself?"

Gordy

 

[Catfishnut]

Cigars all around -- they hatched! (pardon the glare)
View attachment 70133

Michey1st,

Very Cool! and Congratulations!

Gordy