In case you are triskaidekaphobic, here is some good news for this Friday the 13th. Although I had not seen many toads on the island recently (I believe most of them were drowned in hurricane high tides in the last several years), I have noticed several along the Hammock Hills Nature Trail earlier this month.
It is good to see these amphibians looking robust. I believe they are a sign of a healthy environment.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the curious story of Vera/Charlie Williams. You can read it here:
http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052114.htm.
You are right, Philip. When amphibians are healthy and "robust", as you commented, it is an encouraging sign that the environment is in good condition. However, this brings up a question. When populations dwindle due to the effects of high tides from storms, NC Mainlander is curious if toads are ever brought to Ocracoke to kick start amphibian growth?
ReplyDeleteThere has never been any official, organized effort to reintroduce toads to Ocracoke after storms. They just naturally, albeit slowly, make their recovery.
DeleteThanks for letting me know!
DeleteI'll be happy to bring some of the ones that live under my window and sing to me all night. LOL We have a small above ground pool, and on occasion one of the smaller ones will take up residence in the lining opening, where the top, horizontal poles run the circumference of the pool. I can't imagine it's a good environment for them with the chlorine but then, I don't know much about frogs and toads :/ LOL
ReplyDelete