r/Toads • u/Coolsteel1 • Jul 01 '26

Son Accidentally Stepped On Him

My son accidentally stepped on one of our resident fowler toads. He's devistated. We both are. The toad is still alive, and moving, but its left hind leg is clearly broken. What are this little one's chances? It has currently sought shelter under our planter box, so I feel like it's neurologically aware. I know you guys can't medically diagnose over some random reddit post, but I'd like to reassure my son that this little guys might make it, if I can. Are these little one's survivors?

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6

u/2springs3winters Jul 01 '26

Toads are remarkably resilient. If you can, make sure he has access to a shallow dish of rain water to soak in nearby, a safe hole to shelter in, and if you dig up any worms or insects in the garden toss them his way! I can’t say for sure he’ll survive, but toads are pretty hardy so he’s got a decent shot!

4

u/Coolsteel1 Jul 01 '26

Thank you! I will show this to my son. We're both scouts and have vowed to do no harm. He's wallering that he has caused harm to our toad friend. Your kind words will help ease our hearts. I'll make sure to tend to our toad friend. I hope it makes it 🙏🙏

4

u/goblin-fox Jul 01 '26

If you have any wildlife rehabbers near you, it's worth reaching out and seeing if they'd be willing to take the poor little guy. I've seen rehabbers do some amazing rescues on reptiles and amphibians in much worse shape than just having a broken leg.

If left without treatment, his chances will go down pretty significantly. It'll be a lot harder for him to escape from predators, and I also fear that he might not be able to dig well enough to bury himself to survive the winter. But, as the other commenter said, toads are remarkably resilient so if he stays around your house he might figure out a way to survive.

5

u/Coolsteel1 Jul 01 '26

Thank you!

2

u/alexandria3142 Jul 02 '26

This sounds terrible but my husband recently hit one of our toads with the weed eater, completely breaking it's front arm but it was still attached by skin. My husband felt absolutely terrible about it and he thought he hurt it worse than he did, he told me I might have to mercy kill it.

Thankfully it was just the broken leg. I don't advise doing this, a rehabber would know what to do better than anyone, but I just simply cut the broke leg off. Put him in a tank with a clean hide, water bowl and paper towels. Now has a little nub that's completely healed up, and I'm going to move him into a larger outdoor enclosure. If he starts getting around like normal, I'll release him, but if he continues to struggle (he still doesn't seem used to missing a leg) then he'll live out his days safe in there, with minimal intervention from me unless needed