Development: In late spring and early summer, toads congregate to breed. American toads are known as explosive breeders meaning that all of their breeding is concentrated within a short period of time. Males will call to attract a female and try to breed with anything that comes their way such as other males and even completely different species. When a male does eventually find a female, he will grab ahold of her, using his forelimbs. This behaviour is believed to be initiated by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone which increases the toads testosterone levels. The male grabs ahold of the female using specialized bumps on his hands known as nuptial pads. Using these, he grabs her behind her forearms so that he won’t be able to fall off when she moves, a position known as amplexus. Once the eggs are laid, the male toad will fertilize them externally. Toad eggs are typically laid in strands so that they can be anchored to vegetation or rocks, helping to maintain structural integrity, even in currants.
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Ecology: Some populations of American toad have been found to have a special relationship with a green algae, 𝘊𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘴𝘱. This algae grows on the skin of tadpoles where it produces oxygen. In doing so, it helps the tadpoles survive in warmer water where there there tends to be less oxygen, environments they would not be able to survive otherwise. On top of this, excess oxygen also helps speed up the tadpole’s development, increasing their chances of survival. This algae manifests as greenish hues on the skin of the tadpoles and were found to congregate along cutaneous blood vessels, blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, where oxygen can easily be absorbed. The reason behind targeting these areas is yet unclear though the algae may be attracted to gasses, like CO2, released by the toad’s cells.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Toads, also known as 𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘪 in Ojibwe, are seen as protectors of traditions. Many stories such as those about snakes, lizards and toads are only told in winter, when the crows are gone and the reptiles are asleep. This is so the animals don’t hear. If one were to tell these stories when the animals are out; the toad will come into one’s dwellings and suck their blood, leaving rashes on the back (Koko, 2017). Stories such as these help protect old traditions such as not telling stories during the warmer months when time should instead be spent collecting provisions to last the unforgiving winters. In winter, traditional stories are told as a form of entertainment, time for inter-generational bonding and to help keep the oral traditions alive (Kramer, 2019). Stories like this were almost lost, while others disappeared completely due to residential schools. Residential schools existed in Canada from 1867 to 1996 and were the Government and Church’s attempt to remove culture from indigenous youth. Separated from their families, children were kept in poor conditions and forced to adopt Christianity and forget their culture and language. For more information, first hand accounts from survivors can be accessed from a number of online resources.
Myths and Legends: Toads are subject to a large array of mythology and stories, from the myth that they can transmit warts to their association with magic. In medieval Europe, toads were believed to harbour within them; the souls of children. For this reason it was taboo to ever harm a toad. In contrast, their association with witches has caused some to demonize toads. Toads were believed to have strong ties to witchcraft, which was largely perpetuated by Shakespeare’s 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘩 (1606) which depicted witches actively using toads in their potions. This is apparent in the quote; “Toad, that under cold stone days and nights has thirty-one Swelter'd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' the charmed pot” (𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘩, act 4, scene 1). referring to the use of extracted toad poison in potions. Although not truly magic, toads do contain toxins in their skin such as Bufo toxins which are produced by the parotoid glands located behind the eyes. If consumed, these Bufo toxins can cause one to become ill and can cause death in some animals. Potions containing toad poison were believed to cause illness.
Sources:
"American Toad." Ontario Nature, 2021, ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/american-toad/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. Johnson, Marie T. "Ojibwe Tales that can Only be Told When There's Snow on the Ground." Detroit Lakes Tribune, 14 Dec. 2019, www.dl-online.com/lifestyle/family/4816975-Ojibwe-tales-that-can-only-be-told-when-there%E2%80%99s-snow-on-the-ground. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. Kouba, Andrew J., et al. "A Comparison of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone on the Induction of Spermiation and Amplexus in the American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)." Research Gate, Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Aug. 2012, www.researchgate.net/publication/230705864_A_comparison_of_human_chorionic_gonadotropin_and_luteinizing_hormone_releasing_hormone_on_the_induction_of_spermiation_and_amplexus_in_the_American_t. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. Koko. What Does it Mean When Obiigomakakii Comes to Your House? You Tube, 1 Feb. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vREtrKem9I&t=2s. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. "The Tale of Mr Toad: From Medieval Instruments of Torture to The Wind in the Willows." Country Life, 2 Dec. 2017, www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/tale-mr-toad-medieval-instrument-torture-wind-willows-170689. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. Tumlison, Renn, and Stanley E. Trauth. "A Novel Facultative Mutualistic Relationship between Bufonid Tadpoles and Flagellated Green Algae." Research Gate, Herpetology Conservation and Biology, Sept. 2006, www.researchgate.net/publication/26449217_A_novel_facultative_mutualistic_relationship_between_bufonid_tadpoles_and_flagellated_green_algae. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Folio of 1623, 1606. |