These kids don't clean behind their ears!

So, I know it's a bit hard to make out but pictured above is a ribbon of toad eggs that I spotted on the 22nd of April near the Hueston Woods quarry picnic area. As the stream is rather clay rich, these eggs were coated with a liberal smattering of silt which made them almost easier to see but harder to identify. These eggs most likely are those of an American Toad (Bufo americanus) as the spiralish shape resembles that of the ribbon these toads lay and we found an American toad very near by.

American toads need three things for survival:
1. A semi-permanent freshwater pond, pool, or stream
2. Dense plant cover for protection and hunting
3. Insects to eat
Because of the rather general and common nature of the items on this list, these toads can live pretty much anywhere. These toads breed in March and April. Their eggs hatch 3-12 days after they are layed and the tadpoles metamorphose 40-70 days later. Come June or July and Hueston woods will be experiencing a Bufo Boom!

(Jill Steinbach)