Injured Toad

[Pfalz]

Originally Posted by AMERANDA

I normally would've left the snake alone but it was killing the toad

You do realize that if snakes, coons, hawks, foxes and owls don't eat the toads then they will just overpopulate and die of starvation. There's a reason that if you look in a pond there's 10,000 tadpoles but only a few toads around. They are an important food source. Any injured/dead toad will be quickly cleaned up by a turtle or possum. Just let it happen. Stop interfering with nature and embrace it. Managed populations and veterinary care for zoos not nature.

[Veronicka]

I want to hear how the toad gets along. I am glad he seems to be healing and he has his appetite back.

I know that nature has a plan and most animals are food, but sometimes they could be a friend.

[tangelag]

Careful, toads/frogs are poisonous to dogs!? Don't let your dog touch it. One of my dogs became deathly ill from licking one. It was awful. I keep an eye out after a rain and toss any I find over the garden wall. Once, though, the frog did not have a good landing and the sad little 'Yelp' he gave stayed with me for a long, long time...

[Bev nieman]

I stepped on a frog last night while walking my dog I felt awful it looked flat and dead this morning it was gone could it have lived?

[BijouBaby]

Reading this thread I am struck by the compassion for these frogs in all your posts. Most people wouldn't give a hoot about what happens to a frog. It's heartening to see such care and love being expressed for these little creatures. It's heartbreaking to see anything suffer, even if it is nature's way.

[reneeh63]

Originally Posted by Bev nieman

I stepped on a frog last night while walking my dog I felt awful it looked flat and dead this morning it was gone could it have lived?

...something probably had a snack.

[LilyMae521]

I know how you feel, wanting to save the toad. But snakes have to eat too and I think it is better to not interfere. Survival of the fittest.

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by BijouBaby

Reading this thread I am struck by the compassion for these frogs in all your posts. Most people wouldn't give a hoot about what happens to a frog. It's heartening to see such care and love being expressed for these little creatures. It's heartbreaking to see anything suffer, even if it is nature's way.

Absolutely, yes! Clearly there are some great people posting on this thread.

[LilyMae521]

Sympathy and empathy are a large part of what makes us human. Sentimentality also.

I don't think there qualities make us better than other animals, but they do make us different. Most other animals function more on instinct, and survival.


I've been thinking about this kind of stuff lately, bc I am doing a downsizing and find it difficult sometimes to get rid of something bc of a sentimental attachment, a burden that most other animals likely do not carry. A burden, but also a gift.


But, back to other animals - I try and not let our pet dog ever chase the yard critters. When I tell her to stop, I always add the information that these poor critters don't get their food put in front of them every day, they have to forage or hunt for it.


But, regardless, she chases them again the next time. (an example of instinct vs reason)


I seem to have gotten off on a bit of a tangent here. Just food for thought. :-)