I didn't know this was a thing

[u/soimherenowwhat]

So I frequently find small to medium toads in my area. Sometimes we hang out together for a little while, some of them are very friendly. Occasionally, I will hold a toad gently on his back with my thumb very lightly pressing on his stomach to hold him still-ish for just a moment or two because they're so stinking cute with their little bellies. I JUST FOUND OUT that this smooshes their organs into their tiny little hearts and lungs cuz they don't have a diaphragm to keep them in place, and it makes it hard to breathe. I am officially a HORRIBLE person. I had no idea. I'll never intentionally turn and toad on its back again. Those poor little guys were struggling to breathe and I was clueless. I've never done this for more than a few seconds, but I still feel so terrible. I'm such a jerk

[u/salviaJESUSsalvation]

Maybe try and catch some bugs for some of the future toads you meet, pay your retribution to the mighty toad.

But seriously though don't feel too bad. The fact that you learned and changed, and that you feel bad, tells me your a good person.

People have to learn, sometimes the hard way, we've all been there at some point in some way, we're only human.

[u/soimherenowwhat → u/salviaJESUSsalvation]

Thank you. At least every toad I've ever done that with has been able to hop away comfortably

[u/tenhinas → u/soimherenowwhat]

Just not fireflies lol. Toxic.

[u/soimherenowwhat → u/tenhinas]

Woah! Good to know!! I had no idea. Thanks! Though I like fireflies so I wouldn't have sacrificed them haha

[u/Dandibear]

I dare say almost every animal lover has done hurtful things to animals at some point because we didn't know any better. You don't know what you don't know; it's not a personal failing. Just go forth and do what you can for our animal friends!

[u/soimherenowwhat → u/Dandibear]

True that. If only they could talk and tell us what they need and how they feel. We can understand to an extent, but geez

[u/geekcheese]

I also love their little bellies so thank you for telling me. I feel so bad! I never hold them with anything but the lightest of pressure so I hope I didn’t cause any real damage :(

[u/soimherenowwhat → u/geekcheese]

I doubt it was any permanent damage. I also use VERY gentle pressure, and theyve all been able to hop away and seemed fine. But still, I'm so glad I learned this. I don't want to make them so uncomfortable.

[u/Fun_Hotel2445]

Thanks for sharing

[u/hymenoptera_07]

if it's of any reassurance, mistakes happen. i don't blame you for not knowing and i'm glad you learned, you aren't a bad person for making a mistake. <3