For a few surreal minutes in June 2005, the residents of a small Serbian town were forced to do a reality check, after storm clouds gathered and frogs rained down from the sky. Thousands of the amphibians are said to have fallen to the ground, forcing traffic to a standstill and locals to run for cover. One resident […]
Tag: Toads
Petition: Over 1,000 Toads Were Killed After This Water Company Drained Their Breeding Habitat
More than 1,000 toads may have died after a reservoir was suddenly drained by a water company right in the middle of breeding season. These toads return to the same site every year. They depend on it to survive. Now, it’s gone. Sign the petition now to urge Hafren Dyfrdwy to contribute to conservation efforts, […]
“It’s up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide.” 10 most poisonous animals in the world, from frogs to sharks – and even butterflies. Yes that’s right…
It’s a tough world out there and many animals have had to arm themselves. One capacity that has evolved time and time again is toxic weaponry – venoms and poisons. Although oft confused, there is a clear distinction between these two forms of toxins. Whereas venoms are produced in specialised tissues and are delivered to predators or prey through […]
From the only venomous primate to creatures that can kill you when they’re dead – meet 8 of the world’s weirdest deadly animals
From an animal that’s not actually one animal, to the world’s only venomous primate, there are some unusual deadly animals in the world. Whether they inhabit the world’s oceans, jungles or rivers, there are plenty of deadly animals that are more unusual than average. From species that can inflict harm when they’re no longer living, […]
Think toads are ugly? Think again – as these stunning beauties will change your mind
Who said toads were ugly? If ever one of these much-maligned amphibians was destined to become a prince, then surely one of the stubfoots (or harlequins) from the genus Atelopus of South and Central America could be it, says Stuart Blackman. These startling creatures are every bit as eye-catching as the region’s more celebrated poison […]
Nature’s weirdest defenders: From blood-shooting lizards to slime-spewing fish, 10 creatures that fight back dirty if attacked
Nature isn’t just red in tooth and claw – sometimes it’s downright bizarre. Across the animal kingdom, evolution has equipped creatures with an astonishing armoury of unconventional, often outrageous defence strategies. Some wrap themselves in mucus sleeping bags, others weaponise their own skeletons or bodily fluids – and a few simply out-slime anything that dares […]
It squirts toxic blood from its eyes, has armoured spiky skin and can self-inflate to twice its size. Is this one of the weirdest animals on the planet?
You might think the world’s most powerful lizard is the Komodo dragon – the largest and heaviest lizard in the world, with a venomous bite to boot. But power isn’t always about size – and the world’s weirdest lizard has special powers that allows it to wield superiority over potential predators. Meet the North American […]
Common toad is becoming uncommon in UK, study shows
They are an iconic part of Britain’s natural world, inspiring myths, fairytales and at least one of its most-loved children’s book characters. But the number of toads hopping through British grasslands, forests and gardens has almost halved in a generation. “Vast numbers of toads are being lost every year,” said Silviu Petrovan, a senior researcher […]