90 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2018
MISUNDERSTOOD AMPHIBIANS
TOAD-ALLY THEIR ISLAND
By JUNGLE BOB
We Long Islanders have many
options on how to spend our leisure
time, with a staggering amount of
concerts, museums, exhibits and attractions
close by. There are so many
that sometimes the natural beauty
surrounding us takes a back seat.
Not for me, though. I go out of my
way to find these natural places and
one of my favorites is Fire Island, a
small wisp of land with unique habitats
including dunes, marshes and
sunken forests. Wildlife abounds
here, but there is one small misunderstood
inhabitant: the toad.
This remarkable amphibian is
often mistaken for a frog, which is a
close cousin, but they are completely
different animals. Toads are found
across America but on Fire Island
there is only one species: Fowler’s
toad. As nocturnal animals, they are
seen less often than shorebirds or
Fowler’s toads aplenty are found on Fire Island.
white-tailed deer, but they are here
in greater numbers.
Toads, like frogs, start life in pools
of fresh water. In the spring, massive
amounts of eggs are deposited in
ponds, lakes and any standing pool of
water. There toads undergo remarkable
metamorphosis, transforming
from egg to tadpole and on to adulthood
in one summer.
Amphibians need moisture to
survive as summer temperatures
would simply dry them up. Their
frog cousins stay in or near the body
of water they were born in, but toads
get out of the heat of day by digging
themselves into the earth where it
is cooler and moist. At night they
emerge hungry to dine on insects,
making them welcome neighbors on
our buggy barrier island.
In spite of their ability to terrify
grown men and women, toads can’t
harm people. Their skin is dry and
warty but contrary to old wives’
tales, they do not spread warts to
humans. Unlike their frog cousins,
toads have no teeth so they can’t bite.
And although they are often included
in a “witches’ brew,” toads have no
magical powers.
So although I do feel bad that I
inadvertently cleared out a picnic
table of adults one night by placing
three little toads in between the wine
glasses, I swear I was only trying to
raise awareness of this marvelous
little animal.
My suggestion: On the next warm
rainy evening this summer, put down
the remote and take the kids outside.
You may be toadally surprised
at the nightlife right in your own
neighborhood.
Jungle Bob’s Reptile World is
located at 984 Middle Country Rd.
in Selden. They can be reached
at junglebobsreptileworld.com
631-737-6474.
PRESS PETS
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Jungle Bob's
Reptile World
100 + animals on display in their
natural habitats!
Jungle Bob's Reptile World
Come visit the BEST REPTILE STORE ON LONG ISLAND
Experience the Suburban Jungle...
• Giant Lizards & Pythons
• Bizarre Frogs & Cool Spiders
• Live & Frozen Feeders
• Reptile Supplies & Decorations
• Unusual Gift Store
• Educational Programs
• Birthday Parties
• Boarding
984 Middle Country Rd, Selden, NY 11784
631-737-6474
Newest Location
4130 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769
www.JungleBobsReptileWorld.com
BEST REPTILE STORE
631-319-6592
10% OFF ANYTHING IN THE STORE
*Not to be used with other offers*
One per person
Expires 12/31/2018 - COUPON MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE
/www.JungleBobsReptileWorld.com
