Huge Toads in Panama

Rhinella horribilis

Waking up in the morning in a sleepy jungle daze from a solid cozy nights sleep, the only thing on your mind is the organic steaming brew and beautiful view that awaits you in the dining room. Eyes barely open to the brilliant shining jungle that surrounds you, it's easy to miss the not-so-desirable steamy treasure somebody left for you overnight.

It wasn't a monkey, a dog, or a cat, but rather the huge toads that so kindly left behind the remnants of their last nights meal. We really should have them on our nightly payroll for the hard work they do for us but, their career advancement is stymied by their inability to clean up after themselves.

Lacking opposable thumbs and the ability to enter our laundry room for cleaning supplies, we are more than happy to trade up the simple task of moving their poo to nourish the jungle prior to making it's way between our guests toes or the bottom of their flip-flop.

A toadlet recently hatched in Cerro Hoyas National Park

These little or not-so-little toads are quite cute but bufonophobia is real. I have come to find out from some rather loud screams from guests or staff that a lot of people are terrified of toads. While we all chuckle after the scream has occurred and the toad is none the wiser, rather looking at the said screamer with a blank stare, it has come high time to share more about these hard little / not-so-little workers.

Thankfully, they are workers of the night and our guests tend to go to bed pretty early after a delicious dinner and a great day of adventures. We suggest to our guests to sleep with their screen doors open at night to fall asleep to the sound of the crashing waves and the peace and quiet of the jungle. However, with the loudest land mammals hanging out nearby, and the jungle coming alive at night, the human brain might find these sounds uniquely stimulating and hard to ignore.

Toads, like many animals, find all the insects a delicacy especially the larger creepier ones that crunch underfoot rather than ooze. That's a whole other list of phobias there which we'll unpack another time for you. With the arrivial of the life giving rains, the toads are feeling the buzz too. They are out and about looking for a mate or something to fill those big bellies. These toads grow to jungle size - up to 10" (25 cm) and about 3 lbs (1.5 kg) so they can pack away a LOT of bugs hence the payroll - they clean the floors all night for us!

Not only do they work hard cleaning all night, they serve as a feast for their predators like snakes, beautiful birds, and mammals, but not all of them. These toads come packed with a toxin in the parotid gland you see bulging behind its eyes which is secreted in moments of stress to their predators causing severe problems to their heart and nervous system. Homer was onto something because the toxin can cause mere discomfort in humans but can be deadly for smaller animals. So, unless you are one of the land dwelling mammals outfitted with a special super power that renders you unharmed by these toads, best to avoid licking them for now.

So, watch out for steamers in the mornings and simply let the natives be, they are busy working to protect you from bugs while you're sleeping. Fair trade.

Your friends in Panama,

Cari and Ryan Mackey

Owners & Hosts