Comment below why you think it's important that we conserve the Natterjack Toads!

@AlexCollinsWaC

4 жыл бұрын

I should mention, if you're going to try to create habitat for Natterjacks by digging holes, speak to one of the organisations linked in the description first!.

@lbloxley

4 жыл бұрын

Alex Collins Hi Alex. This is really good presenting and very well presented as a video, LB Loxley.

Ah the Lamborghini toad, but alas I think I prefer Natterjack as it's more fun to say! They are rather stunning looking, thanks for raising awareness of this species. I agree, that their unique sounds make them rather incredible! 💚

@AlexCollinsWaC

4 жыл бұрын

agreed!

Really informative, great video!

@AlexCollinsWaC

4 жыл бұрын

cheers Billy! took a while to make this one, hopefully it will give people the right information when they're looking for it 😀

Alex Collins - Here's another perspective on the Natterjack. British and Celtic (traditional) witches and shamans [not Wiccans] would use these specific toads in their rituals. A witch would receive an omen and then the Natterjack would be crucified on a thorn bush - literally, pressed into the thorns and left there to die. Afterwards, the witch would collect the toad and leave the corpse on an ant mound and the ants, over time, would pick the bones clean. Finally, the witch would take the toad bones down to running water (stream, rivulet) on a full moon night at midnight and release the bones into the water. There would be one bone that resisted the current of the water whilst "screaming" at the witch, and that toad bone would become the charm (talisman) of the witch which he or she would have on their person until the end of their days. The bone supposedly gave them power over other animals and people, but the rite wasn't without dangers. The Toad Rite as it is called, among witches, was known to drive some practitioners insane. Toads, especially Natterjacks, were (are) known as beloved creatures of the Witch Gods (Pan/Cernunnos, Hekate, etc.) and Chthonic (Underworld) Powers, and one misstep in the ritual meant utter disaster for the practitioner. Many pagans now revere the toad and no longer practice the grisly rite from what I understand. Hats off to you and your colleagues for the preservation work you're doing for these remarkable little animals. Cheers.

@jamiegordon3373

2 жыл бұрын

Where did you learn about that

Nice channel mate 👍🏻

@AlexCollinsWaC

3 жыл бұрын

thanks!

@UkAmphibians

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlexCollinsWaC no problems keep up the good work

This is a really insightful and educational video! Thanks for sharing, I look forward to more :)

@AlexCollinsWaC

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Leo, I'm glad you liked it. More to come soon!

Another excellent video, I learned so much, thanks Alex. Like you, I think all creatures and species are precious, and losing such a vocal member of our UK community as the Natterjack would be especially tragic. Pete.

@AlexCollinsWaC

4 жыл бұрын

thanks Pete! You're absolutely right. Thankfully it looks like the relevant wildlife trusts e.g. Norfolk are doing a decent job at protecting them so far

Natterjacks live near me on Solway Coast. Unfortunately all the pools dried up this year so tadpoles perished. Should Rangers have topped up the pools?

@gracewarwick389

4 жыл бұрын

Video was very informative.

@AlexCollinsWaC

4 жыл бұрын

@@gracewarwick389 thanks a lot Grace. I'm glad it was informative. Whilst that's a great shame about the pools near you, I think that rather than artificially altering the environment, it'd be best to have looked at more natural solutions/preventions before the season started. That said, the rangers might think differently, and so it'd always be worth contacting them too. Thanks for commenting, I hope that helped at least a little!

@gracewarwick389

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex. My daughter has been in touch with Cumbria Wildlife Trust and they have informed us that they are working on improving the area of dunes near us to make it more Natterjack friendly environment. Keep up the good work.

The camouflage process is, indeed, technically called "camouflage" - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camouflage. Also, the sucession of pictures and is information is too speedy to be enjoyed fully.