Question for the 'Frog People' in QLD

[JungleRob]

Hi Guys,

My friend has built an awesome pond in his backyard and since he's started getting rid of the dreaded cane toads he's noticing a lot more species making the pond their own.

He's asked me if there is a somewhere he can find out what species occur naturally in the area and how does he go about getting some of these into his pond.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
JungleRob

 

[Sturdy]

is there any local bodys of water?? around his area...

 

[Wild~Touch]

Contact: www.frogs.org

 

[ozziepythons]

Although probably illegal, he could source some males (Green tree, Gracefuls, Eastern Dwarfs) locally by finding a few calling ones, and relocate them to his pond. The other males and females will follow. But warn him that noisy frog ponds can send irate neighbours into a war dance...

 

[JungleRob]

is there any local bodys of water?? around his area...

Hey Sturdy,
Yeah, there are quite a few.
He's in Ferny Grove.
Cheers,
Rob

 

[da_donkey]

just out of curiosity how is he controling the cane toads?

i would think it would be hard trying to atract frogs but not toads.

donks

 

[JungleRob]

I'm not sure, I think he just gets rid of them on a daily basis/as and when he sees them.

 

[JungleRob]

Contact: www.frogs.org

Thanks Sandee, have passed that on to him.

 

[Nephrurus]

Frogs from the local area will colonise it if it's suitable for them. After a breeding event, hundreds of metamorphs disperse will likely locate the pond. I think he's doing pretty well if he has green trees and sedge frogs already. I'd advise against relocating frogs, you could introduce a disease to your pond that isn't present there.

He can increase suitability by putting in more plants around the pond, having a nice mulch heap nearby for frogs to overwinter in and by providing more shelter. Shelter can be made by ramming some 2 foot lengths of 1-2inch poly pipe into the ground (a few inches deep is plenty). Hollow logs hung horizontally can be shelter for birds/tree frogs/lizards/microbats/small possums. Vertically also works for frogs and lizards (and some birds). Probably better to leave the hollows in the bush though, but if you see the council smashing a nice hollow tree, grab the hollows.

And you can toad proof your pond. Plastic weed mat can be made into a 40cm high fence around your pond/piece of land you want to keep toad free.

-H

 

[JungleRob]

Great info, thanks.

 

[cris]

As mentioned it come down to providing the right habitat and dont go catching frogs from differant areas. With any luck the snakes and other critters that frogs attract will also come in time. Good to see someone making the effort to provide a nice toad free environement for our native critters

just out of curiosity how is he controling the cane toads?

I obviously cant speak for him but the best way is to kill them, if you stop them from breeding you only get a few drifting which can often be found before they get the chance to spawn. Usually the males will call when breeding so its easy to get them. It may not work in all areas but if there are no other good breeding sites close they arnt that hard to control IMO.

 

[bonnyboy]

i am planning on moving to the Atherton Tablelands next year and will buy an acre or so of land.I will be making it as herp and amphibian friendly as possible.All the advice above is all very useful, especially keep ponds Cane Toad free.As much as I would hate to do it, especially having kept them as pets in the UK, what is the most humane way to dispose of Cane Toads?

 

[Chookie73]

i am planning on moving to the Atherton Tablelands next year and will buy an acre or so of land.I will be making it as herp and amphibian friendly as possible.All the advice above is all very useful, especially keep ponds Cane Toad free.As much as I would hate to do it, especially having kept them as pets in the UK, what is the most humane way to dispose of Cane Toads?

The most humane way is once you have collected put the in a container and put them in the freezer. They are They are Poikilotherms so freezing them is not painful as it is with warm blooded animals.

V