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Tiny Toads Take Over Neighborhood

Puddles Left By Tropical Strom Fay Become Breeding Ground

POSTED: Friday, September 19, 2008
UPDATED: 10:51 pm EDT September 21,2008

There has been a whole lot of hopping going on in a Jacksonville, Fla., subdivision -- it was recently invaded by throngs of tiny toads.

While one toad is kind of cute, when thousands started hoping around in the Hampton Glenn subdivision, residents told WJCT News 4 that they began to wonder what's going on.

"There was probably -- at least -- 100-plus covering my driveway," said one resident.

"Probably hundreds in one square yard," said another.

Some neighbors said it seems like the toad population tripled overnight.

"(They're) just covering my driveway, my garage, my front door. I couldn't get into my house without them getting in," said one neighbor.

University of North Florida biology professor Dr. Joe Butler said what residents are likely seeing are spade foot toads. He said the adults live underground, and the amphibians came out to lay their eggs in the puddles and standing water left behind after Tropical Storm Fay.

The eggs have since hatched, and apparent increased toad population is the result.

"The strategy being to avoid having to lay their eggs in areas where fish are going to eat them," Butler said.

He said if the toads survive the birds and other small animals that will try to eat them, they will grow to be full size toads.

"People should very happy to have them," said Butler. "It's great for the mosquito control -- the more the better."
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