|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I be sure that I am looking at or listening to a Western
Leopard Toad?
Look at our pages on toad identification.
I know that toads breed in a pond near where I live, should I call
you?
Most of the useful information on populations comes when the toads
are breeding. Unfortunately, different ponds breed at slightly
different times, so we cannot plan ahead. Please wait until the
toads start to call, then Contact the WLT Hotline 082
516 3602. If there is a toad rescue group near you, they will be informed and you may wish to join them. Alternatively, a new group may be needed!
I have found a live Western Leopard Toad on the road, what should I do
with it?
Carefully take the toad out of the road and place it on the
other side in the direction it was facing or moving. Do not move the toad
anywhere else. Do not move the toad to a wetland or pond. The toads can
navigate to and from their breeding ponds and their foraging areas. They
know where they are going even if you don't! If you move them, they might
get lost, or worse might end up in the wrong population.
I have found a Western Leopard Toad in my garden, what should I do
with it?
Much of the habitat for Western Leopard Toads is now gardens,
so the toad is already where it should be. If you fear that the toad might
fall into your swimming pool, or be attacked by your dog, then carefully
move the toad within your garden but away from these risks. If you have a
lot of toads in your garden, and a digital camera, you could help by
taking ID pictures and uploading them to the website: UPLOAD YOUR
TOAD. Do not move the toad anywhere else. Do not move the toad to a
wetland or pond. The toads navigate very well between their own breeding
ponds and their "homes" in your garden. If you move them, they might get
lost, or worse might end up in the wrong population.
Are Western Leopard Toads dangerous to people?
Like all other toads,
Western Leopard Toads have toxins which are designed to protect the toads
from being eaten by predators. The toxins are harmless to the touch and
only effective if ingested. It is also a fallacy that toads can give you
warts - so you and your family are safe!
My dog has attacked a Western Leopard Toad, will it harm my dog?
All
toads have toxins which will be distasteful to dogs. The first taste that
your dog gets should be so bad that it lets the toad go and never touches
another again. If your dog is persistent or if it is worrying the toad,
then carefully move the toad to an area of your garden away from this
risk. If you have a lot of toads in your garden, and a digital camera, you
could help by taking an ID picture and putting it on the UPLOAD YOUR
TOAD website. See our page on toads, dogs and
vets.
I don't want Western Leopard Toads in my garden because they can
kill my dog/s, what should I do?
Much of the habitat for Western
Leopard Toads is now gardens, so the toad is already where it should be.
If you fear that the toad might be attacked by your dog, then carefully
move the toad within your garden but away from these risks. Toads are very
useful in gardens as they eat many pests such as slugs. If you have a lot
of toads then consider making an area of your garden which is off-limits
to your dogs so that you can place the toads there. You can then put a
barrier (such as plastic sheeting) along the bottom of the fence of this
section, with openings to allow toads to freely access safer areas in and
out of the cordoned section. If you have a lot of toads in your garden,
and a digital camera, you could help by taking an ID picture and putting
it on the UPLOAD YOUR TOAD website. Do not move the toad anywhere
else: this is their home and they will just move back. Do not move the
toad to a wetland or pond: they live in gardens. If you move the toad,
they might get lost and end up breeding in the wrong population. See our
page on toads, dogs and vets.
My dog has eaten a Western Leopard Toad, will my dog die?
All
toads have toxins which will be distasteful to dogs. The first time your
dog tastes a toad should cure him of ever trying again. If your dog
is one of the very rare dogs that persists in worrying toads and it eats
the toad entirely you should contact your vet immediately. If you have a
lot of toads then consider making an area of your garden which is
off-limits to your dogs so that you can place the toads there. You can
then put a barrier (such as plastic sheeting) along the bottom of the
fence of this section, with openings to allow toads to freely access safer
areas in and out of the cordoned section. See our page on toads, dogs and
vets.
My cat/dog killed a Western Leopard Toad, what should I do with
the toad?
Place the toad in a plastic bag with a piece of paper stating the
date you found it, the place you found it, your name and address and
telephone number. Put the bag in your freezer and Contact the WLT Hotline 082 516 3602. The toad will
be very useful in genetic and population studies. It might even have
been photographed by someone else who took a photograph.
I found a dead Western Leopard Toad on the road, what should I do
with it?
Place the toad in a plastic bag with a piece of paper stating
the date you found it, the place you found it, your name and telephone
number.
Put the bag in your freezer and then please contact the WLT Hotline 082 516 3602. The toad will
be very useful in genetic and population studies. It might even have
been photographed by someone else who took a photograph.
I found a dead Western Leopard Toad on the road but it is too
squashed to pick up, what should I do with it?
We need to make a count
of all toads that are killed on the roads. If you cannot pick it up, leave
it for a toad patrol who will count it. If there are no toad patrols in
your area, you can contact the WLT Hotline 082 516
3602.
Toads keep falling into my swimming pool, what should I
do?
Inspect your pool every morning and remove any toads as quickly as
possible with a pool net. Rinse the toad with fresh water to remove
harmful pool chemicals. Put the toads on the other side of your house away
from the pool. This would be a good time to get an ID picture on the UPLOAD YOUR TOAD website. Place a piece of polystyrene
or a plank of wood into your pool so that the toads have something to
climb onto. This way, the toads won’t be so harmed by them chemicals in
your pool. An even better solution is to see how easy it is to install a toad
saver in your pool.
A toad died in my swimming pool, what should I do with it?
Place
the toad in a plastic bag with a piece of paper stating the date you found
it, the place you found it, your name and address and telephone number.
Put the bag in your freezer and contact the WLT
Hotline 082 516 3602. To prevent more toads and other small animals
dying in your pool, place a piece of polystyrene or a plank of wood into
the water so that the toads have something to climb onto. Even better
install a toad saver in your pool. Please see how easy it is to install a toad
saver in your pool.
How do I encourage Western Leopard Toads to use my Garden?
See
our Page on Toad Friendly Gardens
|
