Eldorado 57,745 #1 Posted February 27, 2014 "A Lincolnshire road is set to be closed for a month so that toads can cross it in order to reach their breeding grounds. The road near Sleaford will be out of service to vehicles so that the amphibians can reach their destination without being run over – and volunteers are being sought to help the little critters across." "'As the males hitch a ride on the females back to cross the road, not only one toad may be run over, but two toads are killed as they are together.’ ‘Toads are very hard to see on the roads at night and on wet days and so are easily killed by traffic.’ On one day last year, around 40 pairs were found splattered on the road." Full article: http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/27/road-to-be-closed-for-a-month-so-hundreds-of-toads-can-cross-it-safely-4323866/ I have a new respect for male toads. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrunchkruckets 553 #2 Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! Edited February 27, 2014 by Scrunchkruckets 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
President Wearer of Hats 35,400 #3 Posted February 27, 2014 Better be careful, people might get angry and they'll have cases of toad rage on their hands. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lilly 34,336 #4 Posted February 27, 2014 I have a new respect for male toads. Not so hasty El, are you aware that male frogs and toads have no external genitalia? That the larger more powerful females will allow the the males to mount them only once a year during egg laying? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eldorado 57,745 #5 Posted February 27, 2014 Not so hasty El, are you aware that male frogs and toads have no external genitalia? That the larger more powerful females will allow the the males to mount them only once a year during egg laying? Once a year is double my current ration so I'd be happy. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lilly 34,336 #6 Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) Once a year is double my current ration so I'd be happy. I dunno...the lack of external genitalia might just put a damper on your happiness! (not to mention Amazon sized females) Edited February 27, 2014 by Lilly addition 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eldorado 57,745 #7 Posted February 27, 2014 I dunno...the lack of external genitalia might just put a damper on your happiness! (not to mention Amazon sized females) I'd be a toad, so I doubt I'd mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taun 20,157 #8 Posted February 27, 2014 I dunno...the lack of external genitalia might just put a damper on your happiness! (not to mention Amazon sized females) It's a better deal than the male preying mantis gets... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lilly 34,336 #9 Posted February 27, 2014 It's a better deal than the male preying mantis gets... I have to agree! Getting 'lucky' only to find out you're now a post-coital *snack* can't be a good thing. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coldethyl 2,937 #10 Posted February 27, 2014 Oh, El, poor thing. I'd give you a ride on my back but I'm not Amazonian enough, lol Are these things endangered? Forty doesn't seem like a lot to have been killed last year. Guess I'll read the article...ok it doesn't say they're in danger of dying out. I guess 80 toads is too much to lose in a year? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eldorado 57,745 #11 Posted February 27, 2014 I guess 80 toads is too much to lose in a year? It's their natural habitat and breeding ground, so deemed worthy of the effort to protect them and it. Apparently, frogs and toads will return to these places no matter what obstacle is in their way. Rambo toads, kinda. Plus... us Brits don't like driving over blood-spattered roads, or toads. It's enough to put one off one's toad in the hole. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5822/toad-in-the-hole-in-4-easy-steps 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
:PsYKoTiC:BeHAvIoR: 847 #12 Posted February 27, 2014 I have to agree! Getting 'lucky' only to find out you're now a post-coital *snack* can't be a good thing. I think the Black Widow Spider also kills their mate after coitus. What a way to go. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OverSword 56,749 #13 Posted February 27, 2014 I dunno...the lack of external genitalia might just put a damper on your happiness! (not to mention Amazon sized females) Does your lack of external genit......DOH! Nevermind. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lilly 34,336 #14 Posted February 27, 2014 Does your lack of external genit......DOH! Nevermind. Uh...most of mine is already internal...don't think most human males would be all that happy for such a set up though. I won't even bother mentioning the once a year mating thing. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mac E 206 #15 Posted February 28, 2014 I'm happy for the toads. Smart move on teh city to close teh road. a 40% success rate at crossing a road is bad. Almost as bad as a chicken crossing the road for whatever reason. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sundew 2,929 #16 Posted February 28, 2014 All this talk of sex, what a bunch of horny toads, lol! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mac E 206 #17 Posted February 28, 2014 Why did the chicken cross the road? To help the toads to the other side, lol! ...sorry...it had to be done. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BiffSplitkins 4,539 #18 Posted February 28, 2014 The video game 'Frogger' would have been pretty boring had they based it on this scenario. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A rather obscure Bassoon 2,402 #19 Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) It is nice to see the County of my Birth being so compassionate.As a kid I remember the roads around one of local ponds full of frogs and toads and the poor little blighters being squished. Edited February 28, 2014 by shaddow134 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eldorado 57,745 #20 Posted February 28, 2014 It is nice to see the County of my Birth being so compassionate. As a kid I remember the roads around one of local ponds full of frogs and toads and the poor little blighters being squished. We are so compassionate, this kind of thing can happen..... Civil Servants send letters to a woman demanding she make an effort to find work even though she has been in a coma for two months. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-26377119 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A rather obscure Bassoon 2,402 #21 Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) We are so compassionate, this kind of thing can happen..... Civil Servants send letters to a woman demanding she make an effort to find work even though she has been in a coma for two months. http://www.bbc.co.uk...hester-26377119 The unelected and undemocratic Government is Alas full of rich spoilt hoohah Henry's and it breaks my Heart to see my beloved country being pulled slowly to her knee's. Edited February 28, 2014 by shaddow134 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites