Spring Toads
Spring nature walks are the best. You never know what you will come across.
My daughter and I went on a local trail to identify leaves and trees. We ended up enthralled my a small water hole full of american toads. Normally, toads are found on dry land. However, it is springtime and love is in the air —even for toads.
The male toads called and sang, trying to attract females. Sometimes, their shrill sounds were deafening. I don’t know that I have ever been that close to that many toads during their mating season.
We spent quite a while observing them. Their throats stretched as they called. When a female would finally start swimming across the water, a male would swim toward her and give her a “hug”. Frogs fertilize their eggs externally, so the “hug” precedes the release of the eggs and sperm into the water.
This weekend, we are hoping to go back to the water hole. It only takes toad eggs 3-10 days to hatch. Wouldn’t it be great to chart the progress of the tadpoles?
Related post –> Lifecycle Of Frogs Lesson And Printable
Listen to these amazing toad calls.
Toad Links And Lessons
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Frogs And Toads NaturExplorer Unit Study
Amphibian Lapbook and Study Guide
Audubon Field Guide To Amphibians and Reptiles Of North America
I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.