Hopping Highways
Here at Blair Drummond Safari Park, we are home to over 60 species of exotic animals. But that’s not all – if you look closely you might also spot some of the native species that live here too.
The park boasts a variety of plants and fungi, including spear thistle, midland hawthorn, and chicken of the woods mushroom. We are also fortunate to host a diverse array of native animal species. From mammals such as Eurasian otters and red squirrels, to birds including heron and great spotted woodpeckers, to amphibians such as frogs and toads.
Amazingly, these amphibians have chosen the lake beside Lemur Land as their breeding site. As such, we see a large amount of froglets and toadlets migrating through Lemur Land in the month of June.
Native frogs and toads
The UK is home to two species of frogs and two species of toads. Of these, the ones you’re most likely to encounter are the common frog (Rana temporaria) and the common toad (Bufo bufo).
Both species are listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List. However, their numbers have been declining in recent years due to habitat fragmentation caused by deforestation, drainage of wetlands, urbanisation, and road fatalities during migration.
How are frogs and toads different?
Annual amphibian migration
Each year, adult frogs and toads migrate back to their breeding sites in local ponds, lakes, or rivers. After mating and laying their eggs (spawn), the adults leave the breeding site, and the eggs are left to fend for themselves.
Here are the stages of the spawn cycle:
