Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Amphibimania!


I know I'm associated with cats, and I do love me some felines. But when I was much younger, I also had a serious thing for toads and lizards (not snakes, I like legs). I still remember my pet toad, Dyatt (pronounced "Dwight") fondly. And so, for the hidden herpetologist in all of us, I am thrilled to present this news story about a gigantic prehistoric toad, Beelzebufo!

(the above is an artist's rendering of the 10 lb. Beezlebufo facing off against the largest modern toad, with the pencil for reference. Seems to me, this modern toad could be eaten whole by a cane toad, but maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.)

4 comments:

Michele L. said...

EEyuck! I love frogs and toads but that big Beezelbub or whatever you called it is frightening! I too love toads and frogs. I have one that lives in my front flowers every year. He pops out in the summer time when I am watering my flowers and startles me. He is so cute though!

Clea Simon said...

And he eats bugs, too! So I'm glad you have him. Tell him not to startle you, though. That's just rude.

(and I don't think we have to worry about this gigantic guy - he's long gone. Isn't that picture wonderful though?)

Michele L. said...

Yes what an amazing portrait of a long ago, extinct relative of the toad family.

Can you imagine that thing jumping out of my flowers when you least expect it? I would probably fall over and faint! Ha, ha!

Great picture Clea!

Michele L.

Clea Simon said...

I've since heard it described (on NPR, I think) as bowling ball size. Kind of boggles the mind, doesn't it? A bowling ball of toad!