A Great, but Dangerous Journey of Toads, 종족 번식 본능을 향한 두꺼비들의 대장정

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카카오맵

 

In Daegu, a metropolitan city in the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula, about 240 kilometers southeast of Seoul, there is a not very high mountain called Mt. Uksusan, which is 292 meters above sea level.

 

Located on the southeastern outskirts of Daegu city center, this mountain is a place where toads live in large numbers.

 

Daegu and Mt. Oksusan 

 

 

Toads' Moving Direction

 

At the northeast foot of this mountain is a pond called Mangwolji. As of 2021, this reservoir, which covers an area of ​​about 2 and a half football fields (18,904㎡), is known to have naturally formed in the 1920s.

 

Around Mangwol-ji, a great procession takes place in February and May every year, called the Toad's long journey. 

 

Around mid-February, an innumerable number of toads wake up from a hibernation at nearby Mt. Oksu to parade to spawn in Mangwolji.

 

Grand journey of toads...A female toad carries a male toad on its back for mating purposes while moving to Mangwol Reservoir from a nearby mountain in the southeastern city of Daegu on Feb. 15, 2021, as it joins other toads embarking on a journey to reach the reservoir starting the previous day to lay eggs before returning to the mountain. (Yonhap)

 

At this time, a toad with a relatively larger size often marches in the form of carrying another toad with a relatively smaller size on its back, which is as if a mother carried her child on her back.

 

However, it is actually a male toad on the back of a female toad. The two toads are mating for spawning.

 

Each female toad lays 10,000 eggs.

Spending 60 to 70 days in the water, tadpoles awaken from their eggs in Mangwolji Pond grows into young toads.

 

 

Grand journey of toads...A female toad carries a male toad on its back for mating purposes while moving to Mangwol Reservoir from a nearby mountain in the southeastern city of Daegu on Feb. 15, 2021, as it joins other toads embarking on a journey to reach the reservoir starting the previous day to lay eggs before returning to the mountain. (Yonhap)

In May, tens of thousands of them return to the mountain in groups. 

 

These toads came down the mountain in groups and started heading to Mangwolji ahead of spring this year.

 

However, this epic journey is dangerous for the toads because they are often trampled by vehicles, people, or other animals while crossing the road.

Fortunately, in recent years, to prevent misfortunes, authorities have begun to establish protection measures for toads.

 

 

www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210215099300053?section=search

대구 망월지서 산란기 두꺼비 이동 시작 | 연합뉴스

대구 망월지서 산란기 두꺼비 이동 시작 [2021.02.15 송고]

 

 (대구=연합뉴스) 한무선 기자 = 전국 최대 도심 두꺼비 산란지인 대구 망월지에서 산란을 앞둔 두꺼비들이 올해 들어 처음 관찰됐다.

 

15일 대구 수성구에 따르면 이날 이른 새벽 욱수동 망월지 인근에서 두꺼비 여러 마리가 산란을 위해 이동하는 모습을 포착했다.

 

욱수산에서 겨울잠을 잔 성체 두꺼비들은 전날부터 비가 내리자 밤 사이 망월지로 옮겨가기 시작했다.

 

해마다 2월 중순이면 성체 두꺼비 수백 마리가 망월지로 이동한다. 암컷 한 마리당 1만여개 알을 낳는다.

 

알에서 깨어난 올챙이는 물속에서 60∼70일을 보내며 새끼 두꺼비로 성장한다. 5월이 되면 수만 마리가 떼를 지어 산으로 돌아간다. 

 

수성구는 성체 두꺼비들이 이동 경로를 이탈해 로드킬이 발생하는 것을 방지하기 위해 이달 초 망월지 주변에 펜스를 만들었다. 또 CCTV를 설치해 이동 장면을 실시간 모니터링한다.

 

구청 관계자는 "알에서 깨어나 성장한 새끼 두꺼비들이 안전하게 욱수산으로 돌아갈 때까지 망월지 주변 수질 검사를 하는 등 두꺼비 보호에 최선을 다하겠다"고 말했다.

 [2021.02.15 송고]