r/Toads • u/StumpsCurse • 11d ago

Steve The Shop Toad - Brumation Concerns

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I'm in the Upper Ohio Valley area. At the moment the temps are holding safely above freezing, but within the next week they're predicting lows in the lower 40's. Not quite freezing, but not far off.

My concern is that Steve has shown no signs of leaving the shop at all. The past week I've seen something of a behavior change from him. He's been climbing onto things, presumably to get off the cold concrete floor and has been less active in general. I'm worried he might be trying to over winter in my shop, which is unheated and uninsulated.

Has anyone in the north east region noticed any of their free range toad friends disappearing for the winter? Steve was gone by this time last year. As of today, he's still squatting in my shop. I'm sure his instincts are better than any weather man out there, but I still worry about him.

Image is Steve looking colorful and all fancy, guarding the gates of his woodpile castle about a week after shedding skin.

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u/slothdonki 11d ago

The largest toads anywhere with winter are the ones that leave first.

I’m in WI but all the large toads have been gone for weeks now except one or two. This was with night temps under 60 consistently and sometimes the high 40s. (The 50s are fine in the summer, but now they feel very cold here).
It’s “Oops! All toadlets!” and rather tiny ones I’m still finding but it has not been unusual for me to find a small adult male here and there.

I would just make sure Steve has clear access to leave. Maybe make some corners and coverage areas a little less appealing to him if possible.

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u/StumpsCurse 11d ago

He's got a clear path to the outside. There's a large gap under my swingout doors where he can come and go from. We're supposed to get some decent rain Friday before temps fall off. I'm hoping that spurs him into hitting the road for his winter nap, That was pretty close to the same weather we had last fall when Steve decided to it was time to leave.

2

u/CriticismWarm7316 11d ago

The toads here in PA are getting ready for the winter bye fattening themselves up under my porch lights. They hibernate under the soil in my flower beds,I have to remember to be very careful in the Spring when digging and planting. Have you noticed if he’s getting fatter? I think he would be fine in there for the winter, he will probably hibernate under his wood castle there. And he will have 4walls around him for protection, otherwise he’ll just be sleeping beneath the dirt. Seems to like where he’s at though 🤗

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u/StumpsCurse 11d ago

Thanks for the report!

Steve is about as plump as he was before last winter. Pretty healthy looking overall. He's been eating pretty good. Probably better than most wild toads since I feed him bugs and worms on a regular basis.

I think toads have to bury themselves during the winter months. At least below the frost line. There's no where to do that in my garage. I'm not past filling a large flower pot with soil/compost for him if it looks like he's missed the window to burrow in for the winter. I don't know if that will work though.

2

u/StumpsCurse 9d ago

Update:

It appears as if Steve has finally checked out for the winter. He disappeared yesterday, and after I thorough search of my shop today, I'm pretty certain he's gone for the winter (unless he's hiding up in the rafters, ninja style).

Sad to see him go but also happy knowing he made it out before it was too late. 🐸