Nida Alfulaij, conservation research manager at the People’s Trust for Endangered Species charity, said: “We couldn’t believe what we found. We’re used to discovering woodland birds and other small mammals in the nest boxes but we hadn’t considered finding amphibians in them.”
Research conducted by Froglife in 2016 found that common toads have declined by 68% on average over the last 30 years in the UK. Mass migration during spring makes the common toad the vertebrate species most vulnerable to road mortality in Europe. The discovery of arboreal behaviour in common toads suggests that tree cavities may be a much more critical ecological feature than conservationists originally thought. The reason the common toad is finding refuge in trees and nest boxes is unknown, but the researchers suggest they may be searching for food or hiding from predators and parasites.
Dr Silviu Petrovan, senior research associate at the University of Cambridge’s zoology department and author of, said: “These findings are significant and very exciting for our understanding of the ecology and conservation of common toads, one of the most widespread and abundant European amphibians.”
“Further, targeted research will enable scientists to better understand the reasons for this behaviour and the impact on woodland management for common toads and other amphibians.”
mouse shit probaby brings in bugs toads eat bugs ?