Toads | The toad is common in Dutch ponds

Toads are often found in ponds, especially during the mating season in early spring. They lay their toadspawn in the water and the tadpoles develop into adult toads there. Toads are useful in ponds because they feed on invertebrates and help keep the ecosystem in balance. It is important to maintain the water quality and habitat of toads to ensure that they can reproduce and thrive in different types of ponds.

All about the common toad

• What is the difference between a toad and a frog?
• Where does a toad live?
• How do you get toads in your pond?
• Are toads poisonous?
• Is a path useful?
• Can a toad drown?

What is the difference between a toad and a frog?

Toads usually have a brown-gray color and their skin is knobbly and warty. Compared to frogs toads have shorter hind legs, with which they primarily walk rather than jump. It is easy to confuse toads and brown frogs, but brown frogs have smoother skin and longer hind legs, so they primarily propel themselves by jumping.

Where does a toad live?

Toads are found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forests and meadows. They can even settle in urban or industrial areas, provided there are moist hiding places, adequate food and nearby water sources. Often gardens and damp basements also provide ideal hiding places for toads.

How do you get toads in your pond?

The presence of water will attract toads and frogs. Sufficient pond plants provide shelter for these animals. Be aware that many fish species eat frogspawn. To prevent this, you can place frogspawn and the tadpoles in a separate container.

Tip from pond specialist Simon:

Pond plants provide a perfect hiding place and food source for toads, so they will be happy to settle in your pond.

Are toads poisonous?

All toads of the Bufo species have two large venom glands behind their eyes. These glands produce a milky, caustic venom (secretion) that the toad excretes in threatening situations. The amount of venom produced varies by species, and within species it also depends on the size of the toad. For humans, picking up a common toad is not dangerous, but it is always advisable to wash your hands thoroughly after picking one up.

Can a toad drown?

At first toads breathe through gills, but as they develop, they acquire legs and begin to breathe through their lungs. From then on, toads can drown if they cannot get out of the water, for example, if the banks are too steep, bank plants are fine for frogs because they can serve as hiding places.

Shoreline plants lure toads

Riparian plants provide important shelter for toads and can help provide food for them by attracting insects that live on the plants. In addition, riparian plants can help improve water quality by filtering excess nutrients and reducing erosion. - Simon

Is a path useful?

Toads feed on spiders, insects and other small animals, which could cause damage if there are too many of them. In this way, nature maintains itself.

Frequently asked questions about toads