Comments on: Update on frozen frogs

By: Graham

Graham — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:59:52 +0000

I have a small garden pond [actually its an old bath cunningly disguised] here in the historic city of Lincoln. During the cold spell in December I noticed frogs chancing it in the pond. I broke the ice and fished them out. All appeared dead. I thawed them out in tepid water. Three were dead but another 12 made it. I put them in a bucket in my garage with some organic matter. There they stayed [incredibly at one stage becoming almost frozen solid during late December]. I released them this week during the mild spell. Here in Lincoln we normally see frogspawn during the first two weeks of March.

By: Sally

Sally — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:56:46 +0000

My little but well established pond had 25 goulish looking corpses floating or just under the surface. Most were bloated, one had it’s eyes missing, and a couple were hooked up together like in the spring. What a shame – but I’m glad to read this blog and see that it’s not some nasty virus just in my pond.

By: Jeremy Biggs

Jeremy Biggs — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:06:53 +0000

Hi Jane – during the cold weather lot’s of people have been finding dead frogs (and sometimes newts and toads) in their ponds. I think you shouldn’t worry too much because, although its sad for your frogs, its something that frogs take a risk on as a species – that its safe under the water overwinter. In most winters there will be enough oxygen for them to live safely all winter long under the water – sometimes though, when its very cold, there won’t be enough oxygen. Jeremy

By: jane

jane — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:26:00 +0000

My 5 children came to me yesterday and told me that there were 6 dead frogs in our small pond. I was horrified to see them all differents shapes and sizes (I know very little about frogs). My mum and I fished them out and have placed them elsewhere just incase they should survive, and also to protect the childrens feelings.
I never even knew this could happen and feel so bad and sorry for them all. I’m going to do my best to make sure this never happens again.

By: Jeremy Biggs

Jeremy Biggs — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:13:31 +0000

Dear Debbie
Hi Debbie

You’re not alone – 500 people have reported back to us on the ponds where they have (mostly) seen dead amphibians after the freeze.

Some people also (helpfully for us) telling us about ponds where no amphibian mortalities were seen.

If you have a few minutes, do please go to the Big Pond Thaw page on Pond Conservation website and tell us about the pond.

Jeremy

By: Debbie Mc

Debbie Mc — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:10:31 +0000

I fished out a dozen fully grown common frogs that were dead dead dead from our small garden pond today. Never had to do this ever before in the 17 years that we have had a pond. Disgusting smell – horrible bloated bodies. yeuk!

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:30:28 +0000

Interesting, I have just checked and we have about 15 frogs in the pond, about five are upside down at the bottom, the rest which are nearer the top, are alive. All fish are fine though.

By: Jeremy Biggs

Jeremy Biggs — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:07:26 +0000

Hi Rose

It would be interesting to see some pictures of your ponds. Do you have any photos I could write a post about?

Jeremy

By: rose

rose — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:20:43 +0000

forgot to mention that this is in the thumb of michigan all the fish frogs died some fish 32 inchs and field ponds…deep and large

By: rose

rose — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:16:55 +0000

all fish and frogs died this winter in our deep water ponds, never had this happen befor….ice melted and dead fish and frogs….on the bottom of the ponds….