Toxanne and the Worm.

Yesterday, we introduced worms into the toad tank. I had babysat a pair of little boys on the weekend, and part of the "what can I do with these creatures of destruction that doesn't involve them doing permanent damage to the inside of my house?" was to take them outside to the garden, and have them dig in the hard clay soil and look for earthworms to feed the toads. We hit a modest jackpot of small 1-2 centimeter worms, and filled a little tupperware tub with soil, and imprisoned the little worms.

Yesterday before school, we dug around in the tupperware tub, looking for worms, and grabbed a few for the toads.

Here are two wriggly worms. Toxanne immediately focused in on them, and waddled over for a closer look.

At first, he lunged for the one on the right. It was fatter, and had a bit of spunk.

A mighty meal, to be sure. There was a scuffle, and the worm didn't make it into his mouth. Then he went for the little skinny one.

It was fascinating to watch. They use their 'hands' to manipulate the food if it's starting to get away from them, or if it doesn't all make it into their mouth at one bite. You can see Toxanne reaching with his left hand, to kind of push the worm in a bit more.

I figured, great, he's had a worm, he'll go off and digest. Nothing more to see here, folks. Move along.

And then...

BLAMMO!

He makes another attempt at the fat wiggler. And this time, he's got a better grip with his right hand.

Chomp!

Slurp!

And with a final dainty move, he pushes the last little bit into his mouth.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom has nothing on Room 5's Toad Tank, let me tell you!