chemgrl08
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2011
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
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- 8
- Location
- Westmont, IL
- Country
- United States
Hey all! Well, when it rains it pours. Recently, I have found a Gopher Tortoise, two large softshell turtles (on land!) and today a great big Bufo Marinus. This is in South Florida, so the toad is invasive, but it was a big 'un and I thought I'd share a word of warning as well. Be careful with your pets!!! I found this toad as I was out walking the dog. The dog startled, and started chasing the toad before I even knew what it was. Before I knew it he had snatched a taste of it in his mouth- bad news! Thankfully, the worst my dog suffered was some slight drooling. I'm keeping a close eye on him tonight and he'll be sleeping in the bed with me. So to all of you in toad areas- be careful!
As for the toad, I drove to a nearby park to release him. I found it interesting though that on wikipedia, it indicated that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission suggests euthanizing them when you find them! Well, upon more research, its not FWC that says anything about it; its actually Florida University's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences that explains how to do it, but I don't really ever see it recommending outright to kill the little guys. I mean, I get it, I've studied ecology, invasive species = bad, but I don't know that you ought to kill them outright. Just made me pause to think.
As for the toad, I drove to a nearby park to release him. I found it interesting though that on wikipedia, it indicated that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission suggests euthanizing them when you find them! Well, upon more research, its not FWC that says anything about it; its actually Florida University's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences that explains how to do it, but I don't really ever see it recommending outright to kill the little guys. I mean, I get it, I've studied ecology, invasive species = bad, but I don't know that you ought to kill them outright. Just made me pause to think.