I have a huge River Toad living in my fish pond out front. I was worried at first that it might be an invasive Cane Toad but managed to ID it by color - beautiful deep green with black spots - and the voice is much nicer.

Been trying for weeks to get a picture of him/her and finally got a really lousy one through the window. This one is at least 6in. long and "sings" with a deep, melodious croak at night when it rains. Second pic might be a smaller one of the same variety.

Very fat toads, looks like their good for the winter.

I think J's toad needs to go on a diet. That sucker is FAT with a capital F!

Elaine, yours is a Rana. Jack's is a Bufo.

Thanks, Glen. I was afraid to go out on a limb about the Bufo but I did take note of the large poison glands on the back of its neck. I'm very surprised that it would be living so far north - Jack is in Illinois where it gets very cold in winter. Down here Bufo marinus is a terrible invasive species but probably up there the cold weather keeps them in check.

I sent my one lousy picture of the big frog/toad to the UF amphibian guy but he hasn't gotten back to me yet. But I did get another really good look at him/her (the frog not the guy) last night out the window of my front door as he/she was sitting about 18in. away when I turned on the light and of course they are a bit stunned by the sudden light so they sit still for a minute before leaping into the water. Gorgeous green color with elegant black markings on smooth skin. Not warty, so I'm thinking maybe not a River Frog but a Gopher Frog.

I miss seeing/hearing frogs...I used to hear a nice chorus during Spring..been quiet these past few years.

dyzzypyxxy said:I have a huge River Toad living in my fish pond out front. I was worried at first that it might be an invasive Cane Toad but managed to ID it by color - beautiful deep green with black spots - and the voice is much nicer.

Been trying for weeks to get a picture of him/her and finally got a really lousy one through the window. This one is at least 6in. long and "sings" with a deep, melodious croak at night when it rains. Second pic might be a smaller one of the same variety.

Sure it's not a green frog or bullfrog?

Gleni said:Elaine, yours is a Rana. Jack's is a Bufo.

Glen is that kind of BUFO as toxic to dogs as the ones we have in South FL are? I'm just thinking of Plato.

Ann nearly all Bufo have poison in their skin and in their parotid glands on their shoulders. Luckily most dogs do not mouth frogs and toads. Some dogs don't die but can get addicted to the hits they get from the adrenalin in the concoction - terriers are notorious for mouthing.

Elaine we are overrun with B. marinus introduced from the new world a 100 years ago now. The introduction is still a sad thing. I have several in my garden.

Gee, and here we were blaming Australia for the Bufo marinus! Now we'll have to blame South America or someone else, I guess.

Is this the same Bufo that sparked a craze of toad-licking some years ago by people seeking an hallucinogenic high?

jmorth said:Is this the same Bufo that sparked a craze of toad-licking some years ago by people seeking an hallucinogenic high?

UGH!!!!

Gleni said:Ann nearly all Bufo have poison in their skin and in their parotid glands on their shoulders. Luckily most dogs do not mouth frogs and toads. Some dogs don't die but can get addicted to the hits they get from the adrenalin in the concoction - terriers are notorious for mouthing.

Elaine we are overrun with B. marinus introduced from the new world a 100 years ago now. The introduction is still a sad thing. I have several in my garden.

Thanks Glen!
@jmorth - If you keep a water bowl outside for Plato make sure to empty it & bring it in each night. These toads like to sit in water & often hang out in pet water bowls especially at night. Plato is a big dog but small dogs can die before you can ever get them to the vet so just make sure to keep an eye out.

jmorth said:Is this the same Bufo that sparked a craze of toad-licking some years ago by people seeking an hallucinogenic high?

Apparently they are J.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
http://io9.gizmodo.com/how-toa...
http://www.foxnews.com/health/...

flaflwrgrl said:

Apparently they are J.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
http://io9.gizmodo.com/how-toa...
http://www.foxnews.com/health/...

I need to amend this statement. Apparently it's the Bufo alvarius aka Colorado River toad or Sonoran Desert Toad that people lick to get high.
The Bufo Marinus or cane toad does not extend north to you. That is the kind we had down south however I really don't know if the rest of them are as lethal as Bufo marinus.

No, Elaine, believe it or not, the Australian toads were introduced from the USA, Hawaii.

Bufo marinus skin is also smoked in a roll-your-own reefer for a high. It is a dangerous thing to do, however.

If you can get hold of the video "Cane Toad: an unnatural history". It tells all. There is a younger me in it.

Thanks for the advise Ann.
Plato sends good thoughts your way.
Toad pick was from a village about 12 miles east of where Plato is.

Gleni said:No, Elaine, believe it or not, the Australian toads were introduced from the USA, Hawaii.

Bufo marinus skin is also smoked in a roll-your-own reefer for a high. It is a dangerous thing to do, however.

If you can get hold of the video "Cane Toad: an unnatural history". It tells all. There is a younger me in it.

@Gleni
I believe this is it Glen?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Were you in the sequel as well Glen?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...


And is this working? I see this report was made in 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Yes, an older me is in the sequel.