I’m pretty sure you didn’t expect me to write about a frog invasion at Kruger National Park. And they may be toads, but are all from the same animal group.
Oops, that’s a leopard not a frog
Most people think of safari and The Big 5 at the largest wildlife park in South Africa. But there’s plenty of small and seemingly unusual activities as well.
While cruising the roads in search of wildlife, scanning the bush to both sides, high and low, searching for movement, an out of place color, something unusual. Then up ahead something small moving on the road, many somethings in fact. Two inch frogs heading our way and taking up both lanes.
No ID, yet
Difference between frogs & toads
Frogs need to live near water, have smooth moist skin, a narrow body and high round bulgy eyes. Toads do not need to live near water, have rough and bumpy skin, a wide body and low football shaped eyes. So you tell me what we saw.
A pair of frogs where fighting over some morsel and neither would give way
We stopped and didn’t want to drive through knowing we couldn’t avoid smashing some of them into the road. What a dilemma. It was obvious some other vehicles had driven through because of the mashed frog bodies. Did they even see them?
Although I thoroughly enjoy seeing the big wildlife sometimes the small animals provide something different and unusual. Like this prince, a red toad, found under my tent. And no I didn’t kiss it.
Last visit we were attacked by turtles and this time a frog invasion. I’m just glad we weren’t harried by hippos.
More coming about other wildlife seen in South Africa.
Much like when we have a mouse plague that make night driving like slaughter. What a great leopard and so wonderful to see him in the wild. I still carry a nightmare picture of the big cats at Beijing zoo, confined in cages barely big enough for them to turn around in, except the tigers, they had luxury suites.
So often people just look at the big stuff, I’m glad you don’t.
We both just wanted to cry while slowly trying to avoid the bulk of frogs.
Seeing the leopard was amazing. And like you say, better in the wild than a cage.
For reason, I don’t have much love for frogs. Except that I like to hear them at night after dark. Up in Utah I stay at my cousin’s house on the second floor and I get to go to sleep with the sound of crickets and frogs. They’re like a valium pill to me. 🙂
I like their sound but didn’t hear a peep even from the one that slept under my tent.
I love frogs and toads and wouldn’t have driven over them either. Turtles fascinate me, too.
Sorry for my silence; traveling again.
Are you in Seattle now? You could probably see some frogs around that wet environment.
Close to our last home in the UK there was a sign by one of the rivers that said beware of frogs and toads crossing during the summer months. Great idea as at least it made people aware of them. Have a good day. Diane
Don’t know how they’d put up signs like that in Kruger but is a good idea. Guess you’re just suppose to be going slow and keeping a lookout for anything that moves.
I’ve been trying to read this post since about an hour after you put it up and my internet connection has just refused to allow me to do anything. Sure hope I can get this comment up. LOVED reading this. Leopards and frogs in the same post. Did you get out on the road and hurry them off so you could drive through? Really interesting looking Froads or is it Torogs you’ve got there.
Against the rules to get out of your vehicle in Kruger because of the lions and leopards.
Not a big fan of frogs… but, love the Nature. And the way it’s designed is always fascinates me. Meaning the migration of frogs you are posting about.
The frog migration was definitely an unusual thing to see when one is looking for huge wildlife. All part of nature.
OMW Gaelyn, your picture of the leopard is SUCH a find! I’ve prowled (in cars, of course) around game and national parks and seen every one of the big five except a leopard. Congratulations! I love that you creapt through the highway in KNP so that you didn’t squash frogs. Beautiful images. Jo
This was my second leopard sighting but the first visit it was really hidden in a tree. Was Very cool to see it clearer this time, even with the tall grass.
Was impossible to miss all the frogs.
Yup — keep those tent invaders on the small side! That’s always better. Cute frogs.
I’m just glad I didn’t smooth it while sleeping.
Frogs (or toads?) invading Kruger National Park! Seems like this would make a good theme for a science fiction novel. Although maybe we’d need giant toads instead of these cute little guys.
Was a very strange invasion.
No, the first one is a bit too big to be a frog. LOL!!
I will let you know what the frog is as soon as I can. Lovely post.
And my Prince was too bumpy to be a frog.
I really love this group of critters as well. Something very very bad happened today and I didn’t want to post it. I was driving to Madera and my favorite pretty pink snake…..I don’t know what the name of it is but I’ve seen this snake several times and I love the color on it…..well you can see where this is going…….the pink snake decided to go Kamikaze in front of my car and before I could stop, it was over. I was absolutely horrified and saddened by my actions. A man at the ranger stations put a hand on my back and said it would be okay and that it happens from time to time. The frogs on the road remind me of my time in Wisconsin or during monsoon with the Colorado Toads. I don’t drive around those areas when I know they’re going to be all over the road. And yet today it happened. I’m not one to be touched but the guy’s pat on my back felt good. I can only hope that the snake will feed a scavenger. As for kissing frogs……:)
Oh Chris, I’m so sorry. It hurts me to hurt nature.