From the Facebook of: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Happy Amphibian Week!

To celebrate, we’re sharing some facts about the American toad.

Wisconsin has 12 species of frogs, and while not all frogs are toads, all toads are frogs.

They’re not slimy or even slippery – these critters spend more time on land and travel farther from water than their frog relatives. And their bumps won’t give you warts, but do help them camouflage and allow them to secrete a stinky fluid that deters predators.

If you have a toad in your yard, that’s a good sign that you’ve got a healthy habitat, and as an added bonus – these carnivores will eat insect pests!

Help keep your space frog friendly by taking a few simple steps:

– Dedicate a small, shady area as a mini habitat. Brush piles, rocks and leaves all help give small critters a shelter.

– Leave a 5-10 foot unmowed buffer along shorelines, ditches, or other wet areas. This creates habitat and can minimize runoff and erosion.

– Add a water source if you don’t have one already, even something small like a ground-level birdbath.

Learn more about Wisconsin’s amphibians at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/Herps