Pygmy Toads

[Kayleigh]

Today I saw two very small Toads mating in my pond, they were about half the size of fully grown adult Toads. Are they normal
Or are they some alien specieis. Or has something stunted their growth.
Has anyone else seen small Toads.
They could be young ones I suppose

[nightshade]

They may have been misguided males,this does happen when the much larger females are all taken

[Kayleigh]

Hi Nightshade

Both the Toads looked small but I got a better look later and the female is a lot bigger than the male.

I didn't realise the males are quite a bit smaller than the females.

[pet]

Hi Kayleigh, any chance of gettin a photo of your toads uploaded?

[Kayleigh]

No photos yet as they go into deep water when they see me. I think they are common Toads there's about three in the bottom of the pond.

[pet]

yeah i know wat you mean, they can be very sensitive and duck for cover at the slightest movement... not all bad as it keeps them alive when its a less friendly visitor like the local moggy ect

[Gill Catton]

Go looking at night they are a lot less nervous and you can get good photographs using a torch.

[pet]

ah ha thanks for the tip Gill ... i'm owf up the garden now the suns ducked away over the hills for a spot of evening herping

[Kayleigh]

Nope, I think they have left the pond...
But they have also left some long ropelike spawn behind

[Alan Hyde]

Hi Kayliegh,
It sounds like your toads are native, However we do have many Alien species establishing themselves here in UK thanks to the pet trade.

Alien Amphib's

Alpine newt (triturus alpelstris)
Marsh frog (rana ridibunda)

Edible Frog (Rana esculenta)
Pool Frog (Rana lessonae)

Fire bellied Toads (Bombina)
Midwife Toad (alytes obstetricans)
Clawed toad (Xenopus obstetricans)
European Tree Frog (Hyla Arborea)

Alien Reptiles Establishing themselves include--
Aesculapian Snake ( Elaphe longissima )
Wall Lizard ( Podarcis muralis )
Green Lizard ( Lacerta viridis ) or ( L.bilineata )