Dozens of dead toads in one pond

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Today i took a trip to my favourite pond, just having a look to see how many toads were there this year and how much spawn there was. On approach to pond i could see a dead toad in the water so i fished it out and had a look. Seemed to have been half eaten or atleast something looked to have had a go at it anyway. Further round the pond i found another two toads both missing rear legs and all around the pond there was more dead toads and all seemed to have suffered the same fate. I counted atleast a dozen bodies that i could see but who knows the real total as the pond is about 4 ft deep and obscured with vegetation. There was not nearly as much spawn as previous years either. I did take photos and will post them later but in the meantime does anybody have any idea what may have done this? It's the first time i've seen anything like it and i'm quite concerned.

Edited by clarkie

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
clarkie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote clarkie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Dozens of dead toads in one pond Posted: 05 Apr 2009 at 12:10pm
	Today i took a trip to my favourite pond, just having a look to see how many toads were there this year and how much spawn there was. On approach to pond i could see a dead toad in the water so i fished it out and had a look. Seemed to have been half eaten or atleast something looked to have had a go at it anyway. Further round the pond i found another two toads both missing rear legs and all around the pond there was more dead toads and all seemed to have suffered the same fate. I counted atleast a dozen bodies that i could see but who knows the real total as the pond is about 4 ft deep and obscured with vegetation. There was not nearly as much spawn as previous years either. I did take photos and will post them later but in the meantime does anybody have any idea what may have done this? It's the first time i've seen anything like it and i'm quite concerned. Edited by clarkie

herpvet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpvet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2009 at 2:29am
	Hi Clarkie, It sounds more like a predator than disease to me, although it's always possible a disease or other problem is making the toads more susceptible. It's probably worth looking at the website of/speaking to froglife (www.froglife.org) to see if they are interested in the info and or have any advice. If you find toads that aren't good prospects for survival in the wild, you could consider getting them to a vet for treatment - wildlife treatment should be free. Your local vets should have someone they would normally refer amphibians to, if they're not happy seeing them themselves. Hope this helps, Bruce.
	Bruce Maclean, HerpVet (veterinary) Services, Oxford.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2009 at 11:28am


Robert V Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1264	Post Options Post Reply Quote Robert V Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 2009 at 3:28pm
	Hi, if I were you I'd be looking for a terrapin/s. From the symptoms, it sounds most likely. R
	RobV

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Apr 2009 at 6:38am
	If it is a terrapin it�s a wasteful one. I was in a pet shop a few weeks back and a guy came in asking if they�d take his terrapins for free with the case and food for free also and they said no they hadn�t room, I guess some people may feel the need to leave them in a pond if they don�t have the heart to murder them when they no longer want them and they�ve gotten too big.

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Apr 2009 at 7:36pm
	Unlikely to be terrapins if the bodies were also scattered around the pond margins on land. I've seen the same carnage caused by domestic dogs and also by foxes, corvids are also another candidate. If it was a dog often it is one that is taken to the pond to swim often, the water is usually muddy and there is a flattened area of vegetation where the dog(s) enter and exist the pond. If no such signs 99% chance it is a native UK predator that is the culprit, I wouldn't rule out the two legged monkey variety either.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 2009 at 4:47am
	If it�s a woof woof then the owner is bad for letting it hurt toaddies. & if it�s a person killing toads on purpose then they deserve to be twatted. Where�s the photos Clarkie?!