Fighters for the amphibians: This is how volunteers save our toads!

Fighters for the amphibians: This is how volunteers save our toads!

When the croaking of frogs and toads echoes through the fields, it's that time again - the amphibians are making their way to their spawning grounds! But this hike carries great dangers. As the Lower Austria Nature Conservation Association reports, roads are often the critical obstacle for the protected animals. It takes a toad up to 20 minutes to cross a federal highway, which is why many do not survive the jump. To counteract this, volunteers have erected around 1,000 meters of fence in Neustadtl an der Donau. The “fence bucket method” is used to bring the animals safely to the ponds. Every few days the helpers check the buckets and count the captured amphibians, which are then released into the wild.

Lifestyle of amphibians

Amphibians, which have their roots in water, are known for their dual lives. After their metamorphosis, they often return to the water to lay their eggs. Around 21 different species live in Germany, including the well-known tree frog and the common toad, which, as land creatures, have to accept a constant connection to water. They are cold-blooded and survive the cold season in holes in the ground or water. They reproduce in water, where the larvae - or tadpoles - hatch, which eventually develop into adult amphibians. This remarkable transformation is called metamorphosis, a fascinating process that describes the transition from a purely aquatic larva to a land-dwelling animal.

Nevertheless, amphibians are increasingly threatened in Germany. Their habitat is shrinking, roads pose a major risk, and many are at risk from pesticides. To protect biodiversity, toad fences are erected, as is the case with the current brigade in Lower Austria. In this vulnerable time, it is more important than ever for drivers to keep their eyes open. Knowing where amphibians are heading can save lives.

How orf.at and sofatutor.com make it clear, everyone makes a valuable contribution to amphibian protection through conscious behavior.