This is the American toad (Bufo americanus).
It is the only species of toad to be found in Wisconsin and I expect a chorus of these to begin their spring song anytime now.
They're good to have around as they are an early warning system of sorts.
When it comes to predicting earthquakes, toads - warts and all - may be an asset.
British researchers said Wednesday that they observed a mass exodus of toads from a breeding site in Italy five days before a major tremor struck, suggesting the amphibians may be able to sense environmental changes, imperceptible to humans that foretell a coming quake.
Since ancient times, anecdotes and folklore have linked unusual animal behavior to cataclysmic events like earthquakes, but hard evidence has been scarce.
A new study by researchers from the Open University is one of the first to document animal behavior before, during and after an earthquake.
I'll let you know if I see an exodus of my toads.
But only after I beat it out of Dodge first.
You can read more about it here.
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