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BRITAIN'S
THREATENED FROGS
by Jules Evans
Disturbing
evidence reveals that a frog’s life is not all lazing about on lily
pads!
Throughout Britain, in ponds wild and domestic, frogs have emerged from
hibernation, mated and spawned. Clusters of jelly-like spawn soon develop
into masses of wriggling tadpoles. Frogs and their antics, both amuse and
fascinate. Who has never taken a net and fished for the tadpoles that
squirmed and writhed when tipped into a waiting jam jar, or smiled at a
frog seen taking a break from frog activities on the floating pontoon of a
water lily. Worryingly, though, our native frogs are under threat – will
this season’s tadpoles survive to reach maturity?
There’s a deadly virus lurking in our freshwater ponds which is
attacking our amphibian, slug-controlling, friends. Until the late
1980’s, the reason hundreds of frogs were dying was a mystery, but the
killer is now thought to be an iridovirus of the genus Ranavirus. The
symptoms are horrific. Frogs have been found terribly deformed and
mutilated; their skin ulcerated, fingers and toes rotted away and some
with internal haemorrhages. Frogs suffering these symptoms were first
reported in London and the southeast. Now, the virus has spread into the
Midlands, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the southwest. The painful symptoms
occur over several weeks, culminating in death. The death toll seems to
reach a peak in July and August. Froglife, the charity dedicated to
amphibian conservation, is keen to discover how far the disease has
spread, and is asking for help from the public. So, if you find a frog
that you think has the virus, or need advice, Froglife want to know.
Of course, a frog’s life is uncertain enough. It’s estimated that
fewer than 5 per cent of eggs will survive and mature. Spawn may be
attacked by fungus disease, and is preyed upon by ducks, newts and fish.
At the tadpole stage, again, life is tricky, and the chances of reaching
adulthood can be slim. Strong tadpoles will cheerfully devour weaker
siblings and may then, in turn, fall prey to parasites, herons, grass
snakes, newts and birds. If, having run the gauntlet of all this and
survived, they might still die in water polluted by chemicals.
When a tadpole matures into a frog, the game of survival is far from over.
Froglets can’t swim as fast as tadpoles, nor can they hop with the speed
of a mature frog; therefore, they are vulnerable to other enemies. Foxes,
for example, will kill them and cats, too. For female frogs, even romance
can be hazardous! Many female frogs are drowned by their mates during an
orgy of egg fertilisation. After the pressure of the mating season
everything should settle down, and frogs should be able to enjoy an
idyllic summer of moist, green-canopied, shade – except for this fatal
virus!
Although frogs and toads have lost many of their natural ponds through
building development or neglect, Tom Langton, chairman of Froglife,
believes that one way we can help their numbers recover is by creating new
wildlife havens within our own gardens. “If we are willing to devote a
part, or all, of our garden to a healthy wildlife environment where
amphibians, birds and mammals can thrive in a sustained ecology, more
frogs will mature into robust specimens with a better chance of fighting
disease.”
So, new ponds are needed urgently, and you don’t have to have an
enormous garden to incorporate one into your existing layout. Whether you
already have a pond, or are planning to make one, Tom Langton has compiled
a useful guide, Pond Heaven, which contains the top thirty tips on
creating healthy wildlife ponds.
To make your pond frog, toad and wildlife friendly, it will require some
shade, though it should be sited away from tall trees so that fallen
leaves won’t pollute the water. Appropriate plants and submerged rocks
or pebbles will create a natural environment and, for providing this
‘des res’, frogs and toads will reward you by banqueting on those
gardener’s enemies – slugs and snails! Make sure that at least one
side of the pond slopes to enable birds, hedgehogs and other small mammals
to escape if they fall in. It hardly needs mentioning that if you have
small children, their safety must be paramount.
It’s worth visiting your aquatic garden centre to browse the displays
before deciding what is suitable for the size and shape of your pond.
Books and magazines are an invaluable source of help and advice, and
it’s a good idea to plan your pond area on paper. This way, you can
consider several designs until you reach your ideal. Find out about the
best season to install pond plants, and try to include a few native
species as they provide the best habitat. Plants are needed to oxygenate
the water and provide welcome shade. Study the perimeters of the pond. If
possible, encourage longer grasses and vegetation in this area to provide
natural cover. Sow wildflower seeds to encourage bees and butterflies.
Don’t forget to heap some natural rock or hollow tree stumps where they
will benefit any wildlife needing shelter or permanent residence.
Give an existing pond a critical look. Does the water look environmentally
friendly? Ponds need a small quantity of decaying matter to provide
habitat for other water dwellers such as beetles and larvae. Rake out
leaves and dense weed to allow growth-promoting light to filter through.
If you intend to introduce fish, it’s a good idea to quarantine new ones
in a tank for a couple of weeks so you can make sure they are healthy and
will not be introducing disease into the water. Remember, though, that
large fish may make a meal of small amphibians and their eggs. Never
remove frogs and spawn from wild ponds in order to stock your own because,
apart from being illegal if the pond is on private land, there’s a
danger of transferring disease from one pond to another. Even weed taken
from the wild may contain eggs or bacteria that might infect your
otherwise healthy pond. Harmful weed killers and chemicals should be kept
well away from the frog-friendly area or, ideally, why not consider
gardening organically?
Few things are more relaxing or refreshing than sitting by your pond on a
warm summer’s evening. Listening to gentle cascades of tumbling water
and watching dragonflies dance while gentle breezes ruffle the grass at
the water’s edge, is the perfect way to end a busy day. Giving careful
thought to providing the correct habitat will keep the wildlife healthy
and probably attract even more.
©
Jules Evans 2004
Essential Information
For help or advice about ponds and amphibians, contact Froglife on 01986
873733. Or visit their web-site www.froglife.org
For the booklet Pond Heaven, contact the above or write to: Froglife,
Mansion House, 27-28 Market Place Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8AY.
Photos
courtesy of Froglife and Ed Evans
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