The talk "toads wanting to eat swan meat" is prevalent among Cantonese speakers. As a matter of fact, toads mainly consume small insects instead of swan meat! As spring is approaching with temperature fluctuations and rising humidity, they are becoming active around you again.
During our ecological survey, we found several pairs of mating Asian Common Toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) in the marshes in Pui O. Asian Common Toads are prolific breeders. It is reported that an adult female can produce up to 40,000 eggs a year. Thousands of their black eggs in long jelly strings were seen in puddles, just like strings of black pearls draped over aquatic plants! Within just a few days, the eggs will hatch into tadpoles before developing into adults.
Asian Common Toad is the most widespread amphibian species in Hong Kong. Unlike most of the nocturnal frogs and toads, they are active in both day and night time. Their thick dry skin with prominent black ridges on the head makes them highly distinguishable. They just look like wearing black lipsticks and stylish glasses. However, please do not touch them, for they may exude milky secretions that irritate our skin.
Pui O marshes serve as a very important habitat, providing a roosting site for a large number of wetland wildlife. Some of the species return to the marshes for spawning, while others even complete their entire life cycles there. With proper protection of the marshes and the animals living therein, we are making contributions towards the conservation of this valuable wetland ecosystem and the protection of our environment.