教員コラムBlog

  1. home
  2. 教員コラム / Blog
  3. 詳細 / Detail

Japanese Toads

2022.05.23

Have you ever seen a toad? Toads, called "hikigaeru" in Japanese, have very interesting features. Unlike most frogs, they do not live in water, except during the breeding season. However, during the very short breeding season between February and May, after they awaken from hibernation, they congregate in watery areas and engage in breeding behavior. Japanese people call this “kawazu gassen" (frog war) because of the large number of toads riding on each other while fighting for female toads. It is said that toads have an excellent sense of smell and remember the pond where they were born, so they can go back to the same place at the same time every year for breeding. When the breeding season is over, they leave the pond and return to the mountains.

 

Their movements are so slow. You might wonder how these creatures survive from predators, but they have two strategies for survival. The first method is to secrete a strong poison on their skin when attacked by other animals. This poison is called "toad oil" (“gama no abura” in Japanese) and is sometimes used as a medicine. However, the secretion of the poison is very rare. I have two toads in my house and they have never produced it. The second method to protect themselves is mimicry. Toads in Japan are colored with a brown base with black lines and red spots. This color pattern provides excellent camouflage in mountains with dead leaves, and it is very difficult to find them hiding there.

 

In the past, most toads lived in the same habitat as humans, so they are often mentioned in stories. The toad is often represented as a symbol of ugliness, but it is also portrayed as a creature with mystical powers, appearing in Naruto and Harry Potter.

 

Toads are very interesting creatures. However, their numbers are dwindling due to the development of mountainous areas, and it may be difficult to see these creatures near your house. When they appear in your path on a hike or mountain climb, please don't tease them, but cheer them on so that they can reach their goal safely as they move slowly.

 

Photo credit: Jose Aly Hoyo@Pexels.com

 


Q1: What is "toad" in Japanese?

a.    Hikigaeru

b.    Kamakiri

c.    Kaeru



Q2: How can toads go back to the pond where they were born every year?

a.    They are smart

b.    They go back to the pond by tracking the smell of the place.

c.    They know the mountains well



Q3: Where do toads usually live?

a.    In the city

b.    On paths near the river

c.    In the mountainous area

 

 

Scroll down for answers 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1: hikigaeru

 

A2: They go back to the pond by tracking the smell of the place.

 

A3: They live in mountainous areas.

 

 

戻る / go back

Related posts