On Toads

Toads are just cooler than frogs. Here’s why.

I think the natterjack toad is my favourite, although I have never seen one. In the UK, they have a very small (declining, like all toads) population that’s exclusively coastal and only in very specific pockets. It’s littler than the common toad, and has a very distinctive mating call.

Toads are brilliant. They do that thing where they migrate back to their ponds in spring to breed. They will go regardless of what’s in their way, including busy roads, which is a sad story. Huge shout out to the groups of people who brave the early spring weather to save toads trying to cross roads, you’re amazing.

Also, toad tadpoles are full of toxins that make them taste bad, unlike frogs, and the grown ups carry those toxins in their parotid glands. Clever wee blighters.

This year’s 100 Day Project Scotland will kick off on the first of June, and you know I’ll take part, with every intention of finishing although it doesn’t always happen. A little bird started talking to me about mushrooms again and I have a feeling that is this year’s theme, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Anyway, think about buying stuff from my website, yeah? I gotta justify all the new materials I just bought for the project and my new studio…