Of all wildlife crossings man constructed to minimize human-wildlife conflict, one which caught more attention of the humans and media than that of the animals they were intended for, is located in the city of Davis, in California.

It’s a Toad Tunnel that runs beneath the Pole Line Road overpass near the Davis Post Office, just north of Interstate-80. The entrance to the tunnel looks like a typical drainage pipe. An abstract toad sculpture with a flat, lid-like head stands to one side to indicate it is not. The tunnel is nearly two feet wide with little crossbars at the entrance to prevent anything larger than a toad from entering and blocking the route. Across the highway, is the exit, which is decorated with a couple of toy houses and toad sculptures to resemble a miniature town. Officially, the town is called “Toad Hollow”.

“Toad Hollow” at the exit of the Toad Tunnel. Photo credit