Toadily tidy!

We're seeing more than the typical numbers of toads in the lawn and groundcover this year. Obviously a good thing, since one toad can eat as many as 1,000 pesky insects in a day. Though they're usually most active at night, this American Toad was spotted hopping in the grass on a sunny afternoon. While still growing, these toads shed their external skin every couple of weeks. Older toads lose their skin about four times per year. It peels off in one piece and is collected under the toad's tongue, where it is then gulped down. Totally tidy, this toad. And a great recycler.