November 7, 2023

I am known as an Oak Toad

I eat invertebrates, including spiders

But don't tell Dee, I hear she is partial to them

And I hate offending book writers.

(The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders is available at Ditch 13 Gallery and Gifts in Fellsmere, Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center gift shop in Titusville,  the Enchanted Forest Santuary gift shop in Titusville, and via mail order.) 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/oaktoad.shtml

https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 9, 2022

I am known as an Oak Toad

I blend in well with my surroundings

Hognose and Garter snakes both like to eat me

It's good my camouflage can be confounding.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anaxyrus_quercicus/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 8, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am known as an Oak Toad

I'm small and my skin is warty

The bottom of my feet are orange

And I've a racing stripe on my back that's quite sporty.

Special thanks to guest photographer and my sweetheart, David Simpson.

Sources: UF Wildlife Johnson Lab - Oak Toad

Photo © 2020 David Simpson, text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 4, 2018

Location: Hobe Sound, Jonathan Dickinson State Park

I'm known as an Oak Toad
I'm a tiny, tiny guy
And I'm often the color of the dirt
So I'm always well disguised.

(See if you can find him in here. I promise this isn't a joke, there really is at least on oak toad in this picture!)

Sources: Animal Diversity Web - Anaxyrus quercicus Oak Toad

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 2, 2017

Location: Titusville, Enchanted Forest

I'm known as an Oak Toad,
I live in the pine flatwoods and sandy scrub.
My call's high-pitched and somewhat bird-like,
I sing soprano in the critter glee club.

Sources: UF Wildlife Johnson Lab - Oak Toad

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson