Mood: sad
Topic: Frog Profiles
Ode to a toad
"Elvis" was an American toad a neighbor child brought me. When they brought her to me she had a strange lip curl, which is why I named her Elvis. She seemed to be eating alright, but had a bit of a heavy breathing problem due to the fact that her lip didn't qite seal all the time. I kept her in quarentine for a while and she seemed to get better. I decided to include her in my education programs I put on for schools and local organizations wanting an amphibian program. She of course was a big hit. I was able to show the difference in the American and Fowlers toads with live animals, rather than just a photo that they wouldn't remember. She was a beautiful ambassador for her species and I believe that many people, especially kids got a better understanding for amphibians and how important they are to the environment as well as to us "Humans". She apparently passed last nigth. When I went to feed her today, she was dead. She will be missed. I imagine she died from reasons related to her lip, though I will never know for sure. Please remember her when ever you are out in your yard (in warmer months) and find one of these beautiful animals. Every toad eats about 10,000 pests each year from you yard and garden. Put out a toad house in your garden so they will stick around. They are truely an American icon. They will start calling around the end of March with a melodic trill that lasts about 30 seconds. When you hear this song, smile and know that things are good.
Farewell Elvis, may you rest in peace.