These American Toad (Bufo americanus) eggs were found early April, 2008 in a temporary pond in a corn field just south of the Ecology Research Center. These toads lay between 2,000 and 12,000 eggs per clutch in two long string structures. I believe these are some of the most amazing eggs in nature due to the length of the strings and the structural integrity of the jelly holding the eggs in place. These eggs will hatch in about one to one and a half weeks. Think about all the tiny black tadpoles you could see in the water.
(Picture by Chris Distel)
After a larval period of about two months, these little guys will finally sprout their front legs and turn into terrestrial juveniles. The picture to the right is a specimen in his early 20's with a striking figure and unprecedented brilliance. On his finger is a American Toad metamorph who had just absorbed his tail. Imagine this little creature trying to make it in a terrestrial world that it had never experienced before... oh, and it needs to be able to catch an entire different kind of prey than it ever has in its life. If this individual were to make it to the winter, survive the cold, and then live on for about two to four more years, it will be able to reproduce and start the process all over again! Godspeed.
(Nick Webber)
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