Any wildlife experts on here?

Just opened my shed removed a couple of boxes/tubs from the floor and there is a frog/toad motionless on the floor - I don't know if it is just hibernating or has died.

My (simple) question is this - will I cause it any harm/distress if I disturb it? (and before any of the budding comedians out there mention it I know I can't cause it any harm if it's already dead)

 

Some frogs and toads go into suspended animation in very low temperatures, their system slows down to a point where they appear dead. But I thinks it's been much too mild for this to be the case. If he's in your way, I'd pop him in a cool damp spot and check on him in a few of days. If there are any signs of emaciation to his body, it's safe to say he's a goner.

 

Many thanks Mr C - unfortunately he does look a bit on the thin side - then again I'm no expert. I'll have another look after I've taken my dog for a walk

 

This is bizarre.

I spent (on my day off) a good hour today watching a toad hop around our back garden.

I nearly stood on it as I put the rubbish in the bin, and I first thought it was dead because our dog went right up to it, licked it, and the toad never flinched. But it eventually hopped behind the bin, and so I nudged it with a bit of wood to try and aim it towards the garden again and it made the sweetest little yelp sound. I never knew they made such high pitched noises. Anyway, I didn't touch it again as I wasn't sure if I'd hurt it by nudging it. So I watched it try and
make it's way back up the garden.
It tried climbing the odd bit of wall/plantpot (they look cool as **** when they try climbing). But it kept failing to get up the steps. I was tempted to nudge it again but like I say, the shriek it gave before made me feel kind of sad. So I kept on watching it's attempts and cheered out loud when it finally made it's way back.

I'm a bit sad though now. I felt we'd bonded. And now it's gone. Maybe I'll see it again? I'd like to think so.

 

And the gayest post of the year award goes to....

 

Not to be outdone ... I like men

 

@Gally @fired

You've got shut of Hemsworth and left us this ******* comic?

 

Ooooh, get her...

 

Where's John Cleese when you need him? I'd like to return this frog.

One of the few things I know about frogs and toads is that they like to hibernate where it's damp/moist, otherwise they dry out and die due to their semi-permeable skin. If it's dry where you found it, chances are it wasn't hibernating but dying.

 

Not sure about toads...now if its squirrels then I'm ya man

 

Please tell me you've named it Jacob.

 

Once you go black....

 

If you'd have left it alone, you wouldn't have turned gay. That'll teach you.

 

Turned...?

 

Left it alone? She kissed it, hoping it would turn into a handsome prince...

 

Quick update - the amphibian is still there - same prone position - I'll have another check in the morning as it's getting rather dark now

PS - I think the naming it Jacob comment was aimed at Whitey