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Publications
Environment Australia, 2001
Australian frogs, although not cuddly critters, enjoy a pretty high profile these days. But the reason for their fame is not because they're hopping about in large numbers in our backyards and forests. Instead, frogs are vanishing at an alarming rate, and this phenomenon has baffled scientists since we began to notice the slippery amphibians were disappearing in the early 1980s.
The loss of so many frogs places about 27 of Australia's 208 known frog species on the threatened species list. Seven of our frogs are already extinct. Most of these threatened frog species live in Eastern Australia. When species like frogs become threatened this is a sure sign that our biodiversity is also under threat, and that it's time to act to improve our environment.
Scientists don't know for sure why frogs are dying, although the recent discovery of a fungal disease spreading through many frog populations is now known as a major cause.
Image: Queensland Frog Society
They also know that some human activities are unhealthy to frogs and their habitats. These activities include:
Other reasons why frogs are disappearing may include:
By keeping frogs in your garden. You can do this by building a garden pond in your backyard, which will be very attractive and attract frogs that will add interest to your gardening and also help control insects. But be patient! Frogs sometimes take up to two years to begin settling in your garden.
Firstly, the ideal place for a frog pond is a part shady, part sunny area, but not directly under trees. Some trees' leaves can be poisonous to frogs. To get the most enjoyment from your pond, make sure you'll be able to see it from your house, but not too close as frogs can be noisy at times! Place the pond near your compost heap. Part of the compost heap can be raised on old bricks, giving frogs sheltered access to tasty insects and worms falling through.
Plant shrubs and ground cover around the pond to give frogs a comfy resting place, hiding spots from predators and shelter from wind. Vegetation also attracts insects to your garden for frogs to eat. A rock pile or fallen logs work well to keep the area shaded and cool. You'll need to plant native shrubs, ground cover and trees of different heights. Your local nursery can provide advice on varieties native to your area. A low garden lamp illuminating the frog pond will look great.
Once you've found the ideal spot, it's time to build your frog pond. Frog ponds come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from an old bath tub to specially designed ponds. You can use many different objects including styrofoam boxes, children's pools, old laundry tubs, babies' baths and plastic containers like bins.
If you want to dig your own pond, here's how.
A pond should have sloped sides and ideally should be spoon-shaped with shallow, sloping walls. This allows easy access for the frogs and metamorphs (tadpoles turning into frogs) to get in and out of the pond. If using an old bath tub or other object, you should create a ramp from the pond to the ground or nearby tree by using sand, gravel, rocks, logs or tree branches.
Frogs are protected in some states by law. If frogs don't just move in of their own accord to your new froggy habitat, you might need a permit to introduce some - check with your state wildlife authority. Never introduce frogs from more than 20km away, as non-native frogs may upset the local species and you may inadvertently help spread the fungal disease. Transport frogs in a lightly inflated strong plastic bag with a few drops of water inside. Only transport one large frog per bag, or four small frogs per bag - never mix large and small frogs in one bag. Try not to handle the frog with your hands because their skins are very sensitive, but if you must handle the frog, wet your hands first and rinse them directly afterwards.
If you have tadpoles or immature frogs, transport them in jars with lots of water, preferably from where you found them. If there are no fish in your pond, then you can place them in the pond right away. If you do have fish in your pond, then wait until your tadpoles are at least 15mm long before releasing them, otherwise the fish will eat them.
Some types of frog-friendly fish, which also control mosquitoes, are Rainbow Fish (especially the Softspine Rainbow or Sunfish, Pacific Blue Eye, Dwarf or Red Line Jollytail or the White Cloud Mountains Minnow). Some people add local stream invertebrates such as backswimmers and damsel-fly larvae instead. Never place Goldfish or Mosquito Fish in your pond as they are poisonous to frogs or eat their tadpoles.
Check out the web sites below for more information: