Why did the toad cross the road in the rain? To reproduce, of course

Rainy weather can stir up a variety ofdriving hazards, from ruts and washouts to poor visibility, but an abundance of toads isn't usually the first obstaclethat comes to mind.

With warm, spring rain falling in western and central Newfoundland, drivers are finding themselves dodging dozens of toads on pond-adjacent roads.

Christine Campbell,a professor of biology at Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook,says the movement of toads from the woods to across the roadsis all about reproduction.

Especially right after sunset, you might meet a whole bunch of toads on the road.- Christine Campbell

"Basically it's their breeding season, and the toads are mainly moving from the woods down to the ponds where they're going to breed and lay eggs," Campbell said.

"The movement is really stimulated by temperature and moisture. Toads don't do well in dry conditions they will dry out."

Depending on the time of day, Campbell said drivers could come across hundreds of toads crossing the road at atime.

"They're coming from a kilometre or so away, all around the pond, so it's a big mass of toads who are moving from a big landscape to one specific pond," she said.

"Especially right after sunset, you might meet a whole bunch of toads on the road."

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Unfortunately for some of the hopeful procreators, Campbell said they won't all make it across.

"While it seems like a lot of toads might be run over on the road, I think in terms of the total population it's not really affecting growth."

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