My Bufo nebulifer are still here!

For two weeks I feared something untoward happened to these Gulf Coast Toads; most notably missing was one on my doorstep. As previously reported one or another has been there nocturnally since 2009.

I surmised that a series of torrents blew or washed them away, despite my providing no-mow sanctuary.

So seeing a littlest one there again tonight gives me hope that they haven’t been wiped out or moved to greener pastures. [The one pictured below was unmasked early yesterday morning when I moved a pair of rubber boots left outside overnight. I bet it was the one a few feet away in my doorway this evening.]

 

The re-appearance presents an interesting question: How does each generation of toad wind up at the exact same spot at my shack for six years running? And what is it that attracts them to it?

Is their behavior genetically transmitted or is it learned? If the latter I haven’t seen any evidence. By my observation toads are solitary creatures. Of course over the years I have seen two or three together, but a very few times. The norm seems to be when you reach a certain age you’re on your own!

Like it is for humans.