Caring for frogs/tpads in the garden?

@seamonkey (1976)
Ireland
March 11, 2007 11:16am CST
I have adult frogs living in my garden pond. We found them in a nearby stream and are trying to get them established. When can we expect them to spawn tadpoles if all goes well? Is it true that they eat some of the spawn?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@bonbon50 (659)
• United States
12 Mar 07
Frogs always try to migrate back to the water they metamophosed in. It's still an unexplained scientific phenomenon as to how they do this is, and many believe they are able to navigate themselves via the solar system! They will do this when it rains, as they need the moisture in order to make the trip. Even if you're lucky to have any spawn, some species will feed on their young, but more tadpoles or eggs are lost to fish or dragonfly larva. You also have to be very careful as to how your garden pond was made. PVC liners are harmful to young tadpoles. If you need to 'top' off the water in your pond, make sure you add a declorinator. Your best bet to get frogs established is to return to the stream when there are eggs or small tadpoles and then raise a few in an indoor aquarium. Again, be careful of the water, no chlorine. Don't over crowd the tank as they actually emit a poison which the weaker ones will subcomb to. This is natures way of taking care of things. You can feed them 'fry food' which is sold at pet stores for feeding baby fish (which are called fry). Also, add 'friendly bacteria' to the tank. You'll need to transfer them to your pond when they are about to metamophose. Make sure the water change is not too drastic, mix some pond water into the aquarium; temps should be about the same, also. Be aware that bull frogs don't start metamophosing until the 2nd spring!
@seamonkey (1976)
• Ireland
12 Mar 07
That's great information, thanks so much. You seem to really know about these litle fellas. My son says they aren't frogs at all, but toads. Do you know the difference?
@bonbon50 (659)
• United States
13 Mar 07
The general rule is that toads don't really care if they're by water or not and their skin is 'bumpy', usually brownish in color. Frogs rarely venture far from the water and their skin in smooth, most are green to some degree in color. (I had a pond and tried to do the same thing you want to do, that's how I know all of this as I consulted our area's herpatoligist a few times.)
@Phlamingho (7822)
• Denmark
11 Mar 07
If they thrive then they'll proably lay eggs, but only if they are really comfartable in your pond.
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@drakan291 (817)
• Ireland
14 Mar 07
We didn't do anything,our toads and frogs just appeared from the neighbouring countryside. It was like as soon as we had water they turned up from somewhere. They like hanging out in our compost heep, too.