Things You'll Need
- Flashlight
- Shovel
Instructions
Search toad hideout areas, such as under rocks and logs near fresh water, with a flashlight at night. Though toads breathe air, they need water to keep their skin moist and for laying eggs. Start your search in spring during mating season, which is a good time to find a toad.
Follow toad mating calls in the evening and night, which sound similar to crickets. The males sit in water and stretch out a pouch on their throats called a dewlap to create a long, trilled calls to attract females. Listen for these calls and slowly walk toward the toads making these calls.
Examine puddles and fresh water where toad eggs have been laid. Toads lay black eggs in chains; the tadpoles, or the young swimming toads with tails, are also black. Adult toads will be close to areas that are good for laying eggs.
Search areas where there is plenty of toad food, such as spiders, mosquitoes, and snails. These animals that toads like to eat are active in the morning and evening near wet areas. You will likely find toads if you find a food source.
Dig in mud about 3 feet deep around fresh water in the winter, where toads may be hibernating. Toads hibernate once it gets cold and some species hibernate by becoming partially frozen in pond or lake water.