The first wave of amphibian breeding has now passed, and early vernal pool breeders are making room for the next wave of frogs to show up at our local wetlands. American toads, pickerel frogs and leopard frogs have been calling for a week or so now, and green frogs and bullfrogs will join in soon, Of course, the spring peepers just won’t stop calling at all… Did you know that you can easily tell the difference between frog eggs and toad eggs? Frog eggs are always laid in a clump or a floating raft, while our toads produce long, corkscrewing strands with a single line of eggs in the center – as is seen in this picture. Even if you don’t get outside after dark, you can still tell the next day who visited your pond by looking for evidence that is left behind. Have you met your amphibious neighbours?
American Toad (Bufo americanus) eggs
