Frog Spawn

[YorksherLass]

Frogs aren't really pets, but I didn't know where else to put this message!  

Years ago, when we lived in Wakefield, we had frogs in our garden pond and when we moved down to Nottingham  ..... we took some frog spawn with us and we managed to get an established 'colony' over ten years.

When we moved here to Doncaster two years ago, unfortunately it was the wrong time of year to do this again  ...... and I am very disappointed that no frogs have 'naturally' visited our established pond. So human intervention seems to be the only option!

I do miss seeing the tadpoles turn into froglets and then frogs hopping around the garden, so it would be wonderful if someone could help me out.

[joss]

Failing anyone offering frog spawn, why not try a visit to any local nature reserve like Denaby ings or Pottric carr? I am sure you would find plenty to collect there Yorkslass.

[YorksherLass]

Hi Joss  :lol:

I have had a private message from one kind member on here, who says that he will contact me if 'his' frogs return this year to breed  ...... so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will.

My Big Bruv lives in Cheshire and he gets frogs every year, but the next time we see him is on the 29 March and this could be too late. Last year, on the 2 March - it was too early, so not having much luck with Cheshire spawn.

The spawning times vary so much, depending on weather conditions each year. In the past, we have had the first lot as early as mid February one year and yet late March in other years (know of some in Devon two weeks ago this year) but too far to go to fetch it!

We took part in FrogWatch about 12 years ago, a thing similar to the R.S.P.B's Birdwatch and I didn't know until then, that if you're trying to introduce frogs to your pond, if they don't turn up naturally on their own, your best chance of getting some to take up permanent residence  ...... is by spawn, as they then 'think they were born there'.

I know it sounds daft, but it worked for us when we took spawn to Nottingham, as a lot of the froglets stayed in our garden permanently. The males hibernate at the bottom of the pond, the females hibernate under rocks, logs or similar hiding places in gardens. The males are two before they can breed and the females are three, so the third year, three females returned to the pond and all hell broke loose!  

For the next seven years, the population increased and we had a fair size colony, but one year I had to bury 8 full size ones, as the couples decided to go walkabouts on the drive and the cats got hold of them. After that, I kept watch and  I used to pick them up and put them back in the pond, so maybe I saved a few couples from certain death.

When we moved here, there was no spawn to bring with us, but we managed to catch two females and four males and we put them in my special bucket, released them into the pond here  ...... but never saw them again. They must have decided to hop back to Nottingham!

All I have at the moment, is my collection of 'pot frogs' which I and my friends have bought over the years  ...... but a poor substitute for the real thing.

[samurai8]

I hope that you successfully set up your frog colony,frogs are an exelent indicator of the enviroment around them,if there is the slightest polution in the air or water frogs will move, or simply die,They are this sensitive to any pollutants.Wish you best of luck good frog watching.

[YorksherLass]

Hi there,

We did have problems   ...... my Big Bruv in Cheshire didn't get any frog spawn at all this year, neither did the member on here who offered me some. Luckily, my ex-husband who lives in Nottingham, near my daughter, took some round to her house and we picked it up the following day. Then a repeat performance with a second lot, two weeks later!

There are now loads and loads of froglets in the garden, as I find out every time I go out weeding, (they hide underneath the plants of course)  ...... so I have to be very careful where I put my feet  ...... look first!  

[samurai8]

Its great to have an intrest like this,you should swap avatar names with frogmella
The brightest colourful but most dangerous frogs are the poison dart frogs of South America,enter it into your search engine its very intresting,and very colourful.
About the Poison Dart Frog
The poison dart frog, poison arrow frog, dart frog or poison frog, is the common name given to the group of frogs belonging to the family Dendrobatidae. Poison dart frogs are native to Central America and South America. The bright, aposematic warning colors displayed by these frogs are indicative of the presence of various toxins present in the frog's skin.

[YorksherLass]

Thanks for telling me about the frogs in South America, I'm glad I don't live there! I don't like the American bull frogs, they are too big and not pretty like ones in the UK.  :oops:

That reminds me ..... this next month is when I start to see the 'big' spiders on my bedroom wall, happens every year.

If you decide to post any piccies of spiders or snakes from your neck of the woods, please warn me first ...... then I won't look!  

[samurai8]

Heres one of my posts from POISONOUS ANIMALS in GENERAL DISCUSSION,have a squizz :te

[YorksherLass]

Shock horror  ....... I'm pleased you're happy over there, but I'll stay where I am!  

Here's a piccie of the 3 year old visitor we had:

http://http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/DianeGS/Photos/100_3738a.jpg

[samurai8]

Thats really good to have an intrest like this,its amazing how these or any creatures survive the Northern hemisphere winter or the humans for that matter.

[Loopylinz]

We came back from school the other day, the kids got to the door before i did, i thought someone had been hurt with all the screaming they were producing...but no, all the fuss was over a baby frog that had somehow got into the mop bucket!! lol it was a tiny little thing, i didnt know what to do with the little fella, it the end i put him near the vegetable patch..which sounds a bit bonkers..but theres a very big toad that has taken residence round there and i though frogs and toads might look out for each other... reading that back..i sound utterly bonkers..the sad thing is im serious...lol   i really thought it was the best thing to do with the frog!!
good luck on your frog hunting hun :0) xx

[samurai8]

Poor little bugger they actually eat one another,the different species just look upon each other as a quick snack as long as they can swallow it.

[Loopylinz]

oh nooooooo how awful do i feel now!! are you really being serious?? a toad eating a frog...now thats one of the meanest thing ive heard in a long while!!   i will hang my head in shame and if i find anymore baby frogs is it best just to put them on the grass?? i know its dumb to ask but i dont know!!
sorry :0(

[samurai8]

Dont worry too much that was probably the mother,juvenile toads and juvenile frogs look very much the same when they are small,some frogs and toads are real killers,Heres one of my posts from POISONOUS ANIMALS in GENERAL DISCUSSION,have a squizz at the Australian Cane Toads which were an introduced speciecs to Australia from American Hawiaii,then look up poison dart frogs/poison arrow frogs/on your search engine,South American they are,and not a bit defenceless :
About the Poison Dart Frog
The poison dart frog, poison arrow frog, dart frog or poison frog, is the common name given to the group of frogs belonging to the family Dendrobatidae. Poison dart frogs are native to Central America and South America. The bright, aposematic warning colors displayed by these frogs are indicative of the presence of various toxins present in the frog's skin.
Its great to have an intrest like this,you should swap avatar names with frogmella,dont touch :te

[Loopylinz]

they sound like nasty frogs!!!! wouldnt like to stumble across one of them.... my daughter amber wants a tree frog- you can buy them as pets but i think its a bit mean...and i wouldnt have the first clue on how to look after one....i just love kids tv...massive thanks to dora the explorer who put the idea in ambers head!!
I havent seen the baby frog again...though i have seen the toad.... i hope it didnt eat the baby!! nasty bugger!!  :hn