STUDIES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE TOAD, BUFO JAPONICUS JAPONICUS : III. SEASONAL AND NOCTURNAL FLUCTUATIONS OF TOAD ACTIVITY

Abstract

In early spring when the minimum temperature rose rapidly from 0℃ to 5℃, mature males and females of the Japanese toad, Bufo japonicus japonicus, inhabiting the botanical garden of Kanazawa University, appeared on the ground from their hibernation places and migrated to ponds on the campus for breeding. After breeding they went underground again and stayed in their hiding places for two or three weeks. As the minimum temperature rose higher than 20℃, toad activity decreased and many individuals retired to their hiding places during the summer season. In late autumn when the minimum temperature dropped below 10℃, the toads disappeared gradually from the ground, and their hibernation began at 5℃. It may be thought that the seasonal activity of the toad is primarily controlled by atmosperic temperature, and that its optimum range is 3-7℃ for breeding and 10-20℃ for feeding.