Frogs dying round the pond. 20th February 2011

[mollymalloy]

I am finding dead frogs lying on the grass around the pond.

Each year they come to mate in a shallow pond I get ready with fresh water. The frogs only mate in this pond, none live there. I have been doing this for over 30 years. This is the first year there are dead frogs. Are they fighting each other or is there a virus.? I foun d three dead this morning. As you can imagine, this is very upsetting, having never happened before.

Has anyone the answer?

[~Wingnut~]

Sorry to hear this Mollymalloy, how sad and upsetting.
I am no expert in frogs but found this website that say to contact them if you find dead frogs around your pond. Hopefully they will be able to help you.
http://www.froglife.org/disease/

I would be interested if you could keep us updated and I hope you find out whats happened.

[mollymalloy]

Hello Wingnut, Thankyou so much for the information, I will try them now, and will keep you updated on anything I find.

[starone]

How sad. Poor little things.I hope some of them can be saved.We should be able to share this lovely world with other species.

[mollymalloy]

Hello Wingnut, I found that site and it was very helpful. Each frog has a sign of blood near its belly, which could be a puncture mark where it was killed by a rat or a fox, of which we get both in our garden. Fox's kill more than they can eat. Frogs also die of exhaustion around mating time. But as there is no frogspawn in the pond yet I can't see that as being the answer. Thankyou again for your help.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi molly, I'm glad it was useful for you. As awful as it sounds hopefully if it is a rat or fox that has killed them it is better that than the virus I was reading about that is the equivilent of Mixy in rabbits. It is still quite interesting as to why after 30 years you are finding so many dead now? Hopefully a one off.
I like frogs and quite often in the summer on bike rides find loads on the lanes near here, takes me ages to move them to the side!! pointless probably but it upsets me to think of them being run over or trodden on!!!
Thanx for the update :o)

[RAV1D]

Maybe a cat has seen them leaping around the pond and clawed them. cats like pouncing on things that leap around in sudden movements like frogs do.I doubt a cat would eat one though so would just leave it there once it has stopped jumping.

[WShee9]

Its not just frogs,Molly....there doesnt seem tobe the same amount of small birds anymore....I can remember about 30 years ago there were thousands in our garden...now just seagulls and crows...sad aint it....:(

[slinkycat]

Could it be this? It mentions ulceration of the skin
http://www.dailymail....adult-population.html
Hoping we don't get it here, we have a very healthy frog population in our pond. fingers crossed

[boxtops]

Are there cats in your area, molly? Sadly, mine have caught frogs in the past.

[mollymalloy]

Yes, Boxtops, there are cats. The frogs are there when I get up at 5.30 a.m., so it happens overnight. My own cat is in all night. One of her favourite games is chasing frogs round the garden, but they always hop off into the undergrowth.

[mollymalloy]

Thanks to Everyone for voicing your thoughts and suggestions. I saw two frogs in the pond this morning, which is encouraging, perhaps their performance is ready for the off.......

[vivandorron]

Hop, Hop, Hooray! :-)

There is already a load of frogspawn in my small pond. Only hope we don't get any more severe frosts which will kill the tadpoles as they are hatching. It happened last year.

Ron...☺☺☺