I've just found another one, but it was in quite a dessicated condition. It must have been lying in a corner for some time.
On the other hand, I've been watching a healthy one - possibly the only one left - for a few days now and it keeps popping up in different places, so it must be well enough to get around. Poor thing must be lonely.
I'm a bit late- I don't know if you still have the problem but that looks to me like red leg disease. Here is the link- apparently it's most common in autumn, which is when you posted the pics so...
No more occurrences, thankfully, although perhaps it's the wrong time of year.
One concern I have, if it is in fact 'red leg', is that our cat sometimes drinks from the pond. We give him fresh water, but he ignores is and prefers either pond water or toilet water! (we try to keep the toilet lid closed). Is the bacterium responsible for red leg likely to be picked up by our cat and do him some harm?
All things froggy, newty and slithery are right up my street. The diseases mentioned above are possibilities, ponds freezing over can also cause frog mortality. If the bodies appear after frosts, keep a hole open in the ice with a hot saucepan of water each morning and if it all possible, remove some water to form an air gap under the ice. Frogs can be active under frozen ice, but not for very long without oxygen.
I've worked with reptiles and amphibians all my life and cannot tell how an animal met its death from a photograph.
However you might want to get involved with the Garden Wildlife Health website. In some cases you can send the bodies and they will investigate the cause of death.
Our pond hasn't frozen over for a couple of years now and, when it has done, there is always a hole in the ice where the fountain pours into the water. This is left on at all times in order to aerate the water.
The dead bodies from last autumn are, no doubt, completely gone by now but, should any more deaths occur, I shall get in touch with the address you provided.
It will be worth it I think. Locally common frogs are I believe extinct, I do not know why but I do know it has happened. We saw a single one about 10 years ago. Local people tell me that 30 years ago they were common here. Something is happening to them and I would sleep better if the reason was established.
Just a thought JBR, but some silly people put all sorts of things in gardens to deter cats without even thinking about the wider implications. I hope none of your neighbours have done so. Hope you get to the bottom of it If it happens again, and I hope your kitty is ok too.
Posts
Thanks both.
I've just found another one, but it was in quite a dessicated condition. It must have been lying in a corner for some time.
On the other hand, I've been watching a healthy one - possibly the only one left - for a few days now and it keeps popping up in different places, so it must be well enough to get around. Poor thing must be lonely.
My friend!
The latest casualty. Any ideas?
Ventral view.
I'm a bit late- I don't know if you still have the problem but that looks to me like red leg disease. Here is the link- apparently it's most common in autumn, which is when you posted the pics so...
http://www.pollywogsworldoffrogs.com/Text-html/frog-rx-bacterial-viral.html
Thank you EdW.
No more occurrences, thankfully, although perhaps it's the wrong time of year.
One concern I have, if it is in fact 'red leg', is that our cat sometimes drinks from the pond. We give him fresh water, but he ignores is and prefers either pond water or toilet water! (we try to keep the toilet lid closed). Is the bacterium responsible for red leg likely to be picked up by our cat and do him some harm?
Hi JBR
All things froggy, newty and slithery are right up my street. The diseases mentioned above are possibilities, ponds freezing over can also cause frog mortality. If the bodies appear after frosts, keep a hole open in the ice with a hot saucepan of water each morning and if it all possible, remove some water to form an air gap under the ice. Frogs can be active under frozen ice, but not for very long without oxygen.
I've worked with reptiles and amphibians all my life and cannot tell how an animal met its death from a photograph.
However you might want to get involved with the Garden Wildlife Health website. In some cases you can send the bodies and they will investigate the cause of death.
http://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/
It will be worth at least reporting the deaths, just in case there has been an increase in reports locally and something bad is going on.
Thank you Gemma.
Our pond hasn't frozen over for a couple of years now and, when it has done, there is always a hole in the ice where the fountain pours into the water. This is left on at all times in order to aerate the water.
The dead bodies from last autumn are, no doubt, completely gone by now but, should any more deaths occur, I shall get in touch with the address you provided.
It will be worth it I think. Locally common frogs are I believe extinct, I do not know why but I do know it has happened. We saw a single one about 10 years ago. Local people tell me that 30 years ago they were common here. Something is happening to them and I would sleep better if the reason was established.
Just a thought JBR, but some silly people put all sorts of things in gardens to deter cats without even thinking about the wider implications. I hope none of your neighbours have done so. Hope you get to the bottom of it If it happens again, and I hope your kitty is ok too.