Photo by Dennis Deck
Photo by Dennis Deck
Who made these tracks? [ View Answer ]
Answer
Some key characteristics are the diagonal stride, the varying toe length, and the association
with water. These clues should all point to our Western Toad.
Unlike the frog, toads typically walk rather than hop. The toad secretes a poison from
glands in its warts and thus deters predators. Consequently he does not have to move
too fast. It was not clear what the toads were doing on this beach but I suspect they were
hunting for insects.
