What to do with dead frogs
Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: Herpetofauna Native to the UK
Forum Name: Common Frog
Forum Description: Forum for all issues concerning Rana temporaria
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5140
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 7:17pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: What to do with dead frogs
Posted By: Burbers7o
Subject: What to do with dead frogs
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 5:39pm
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Hello, I've got a wildlife pond that is in it's first year so I'm new to this! We've got plenty of tadpoles etc in there but I've just spotted a large dead frog belly up at the bottom of the pond with the tadpoles eating it. Should I leave it in there or will it cause issues? I don't know what it died of so I was worried it might spread any disease to the tadpoles? Hopefully someone can help me out....
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Replies:
Posted By: chubsta
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 7:22pm
| i would suggest removing it and disposing of it elsewhere - the odds are it won't spread any disease any more than it already has done, if indeed it has one, after all it may just have died of old age! - but such a large rotting object in the pond may affect water quality. i am however, no expert on such things |
Posted By: Burbers7o
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 7:37pm
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Thanks for your input chubsta, it's much appreciated! I am trying to keep the pond as natural as possible and I know things die and decompose in ponds naturally, I just don't want to harbour any disease! It's at times like this I have to think "what would Attenborough do?"! |
Posted By: GemmaJF
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 7:38pm
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I think it is good advice. It may have died from exhaustion after the breeding season or some other non-disease related cause, but probably wise not to take the chance and not to leave it in there to rot.
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Posted By: PondDragon
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 8:52pm
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On the other hand, a dead frog is a substantial amount of food to nourish the tadpoles and could give them quite a boost, especially in a new pond where food might be limited. I don't think there is a 'right' answer here - you could easily argue it either way. |
Posted By: Burbers7o
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:10pm
| Thanks for your opinions! There's nothing else for it.... I'm gonna flip a coin in the morning! |
Posted By: chubsta
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:45pm
take the frog out and put a sausage in...
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PondDragon wrote:Posted By: will
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 9:47am
I think it depends on the size of the pond and the likelihood that it will foul the water. In my pond I leave the frogs that die under the ice in a cold winter and wait for the tadpoles to eat their dead relatives in the spring. Does that sound macabre? the circle of life, and all that |
Posted By: Burbers7o
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 10:19am
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I tossed a coin this morning! It's staying in! Thanks again for everyones comments! It reall is much appreciated! |
Posted By: GemmaJF
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 5:01pm
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lol, well as good a way to decide as any. I hope your taddies enjoy their slightly macabre feast
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