Google has taught me a few things this morning.
1. Toads don't 'copulate', 'date' or 'mate', they 'amplex' or get into position of 'amplexus'
2. Toads secrete a predator-repelling toxin, a chemical weapon! The class of chemicals are called bufadienolides. Studies show it is wildly effective against fish and vertebrate predators but less so for invertebrate predators. The main predators of these toad-poles are backswimmers and dragon fly nymphs and then sticklebacks and newts (in that order) This probably explains why there is always tons of backswimmers and dragonfly larvae in my pond too! This is probably why the fish keep their distance.
Last edited by canyoncreek; 05/21/22 04:59 PM.
