The US and the UK are known for having a “special relationship”, but that doesn’t mean the good folks of one country have the first clue about how to get by in the other.
One of the major differences between the two nations – besides the lingo we don’t share – is the flora and fauna they’re home to. And this dictates what road signs there need to be to warn drivers not to hit them!
This road sign might confuse anyone unfamiliar with the British countryside
Earlier this year, Toad Rescue celebrated a bumper year. Their brilliant volunteers helped nearly 3,000 amphibians cross a particular lane in rural Somerset, in the southwest of England.
The post follows in a unique tradition among British tweeters (now Xers), of celebrating one of the nation’s humbler annual migrations while pointing to the roadsigns it makes necessary.
One road in Edinburgh, for example, closes on a regular basis due to toad migrations. It remains open for pedestrians, but prevents wayward four-wheelers from inflicting damage upon the inconspicuous amphibians.
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And the sign in question exists in Sutherland, too – in the north of England. No doubt you’ll find them at numerous spots around the country.
Annual toad and frog migrations are also a thing in America
It may be tempting to paint these toad migrations, and the road warning signs that managing them requires, as a quirk unique to the British countryside.
But the US is no stranger to frogs. While frog and toad species may be on a downward trend, Oregon spotted frogs breed “explosively” in early spring, according to the USGS.
Frog species are highly dispersed in the United States. This makes them vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, but rural streams and pond areas play host to numerous frog populations in many parts of the country.
The migrations that put them at risk of being run over usually take place in spring. This is when frogs breed, and when they do, they migrate to ponds, wetlands and seasonal pools to lay their eggs.
In 2004, North American bullfrogs experienced a population boom. And not in a good way. They’re “one of the most successful amphibians in the world”, one biologist told National Geographic. “And they’re causing trouble in several countries.”
Are toads the same as frogs?
The simple rule of thumb is that all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads. That’s according to Penn State University.
And yet: toad is a classification of frog, while there’s no scientific distinction between toads and frogs. So, if the question confuses you, fear not. You’re not alone.
Mainly, the differences between them have to do with body shape. Frogs often have leaner bodies and long, strong hind legs that enable them to leap further. Toads are squat and stocky, and more likely to wait out an encounter with a human than jump away in fright.
Toads often have subtler eyes, too, while frogs’ eyes can bulge colorfully out of their heads. Finally, whereas frogs often have smooth, slimy, moist skin, toad skin tends to be thicker, drier, and is often bumpy.
For more on what differentiates (and doesn’t differentiates) frogs and toads, visit the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s webpage on the topic.
