After our wonderful experience of hatching and raising toads, we were so thrilled that a couple of days ago Alex was able to find a medium sized American Toad in our yard.  I handed him some instructions on how to make an American Toad habitat that I found HERE.  He did a fantastic job of putting his new pet's home together!

 Do you see our camouflaged toad?

(he's in the upper left corner!)

He used our 2.5 gallon aquarium that has a screen cover.  This will suffice for now, but if we decide to keep our new pet for very long, we'll definitely need a bigger aquarium.  Perhaps it's because we had such a great experience raising the toad tadpoles, but I have to admit, the little fella has really grown on me!  He's very sweet!  We didn't get a photo of it, but can you believe he loves to have his tummy rubbed?  Alex has put him to sleep a couple of times doing this.  Too funny!

 Do you see the glands behind where his eyes are?

 Those secrete a poison onto his attackers.

We have to be very careful to keep him away from our cat and dog.

And wash our hands every time after handling him.

In the next photo he's taking a dip in his pool for a drink!  Did you know that toads drink through their skin?  And did you know that unlike frogs they really aren't that great of swimmers, and don't prefer the water.  They will only get in there for certain reasons, one of which is to drink.

Even though their feet aren't the greatest for swimming, their talent lies in the fact that they are excellent at digging with their little claws (frogs feet are more web-like for swimming).  And digging down deep to hide is what our little toad friend loves to do!

You'll have to look pretty hard to see him!

(Only his little head is sticking out, to the right of the moss)

Gabby has been so amazed with him.  She just sits and stares for the longest time at him, watching his every move.

And here is the neatest highlight of our experiences so far with him.  He has a preference for roly-poly bugs for dinner.  Take a look at this!!!  Cool!!