England is home to two native frogs, two native toads, a few non-native species, plus three newts and some lizards. In this post you’ll learn who’s who, how to encourage them to your garden, what we can collectively do to protect them, and what to do if you find an injured frog or toad.
Meet Our Fabulous Frogs
So You Want to Be a Frog teaches children about a creature that can leap 20 times its own body length, drink through its skin and catch food with its tongue. Learn how to croak, wriggle, leap and catch flies!
- Common frogs are found near breeding ponds (but will roam up to 500 metres away outside of breeding season). They have smooth skin and can leap 20 times their own body length, and use their tongues to catch food. Usually olive or brown, they have a dark ‘mask’ behind their eyes and dark stripes on their back leaping legs. A few others may be different colours. They give birth to tadpoles which leave ponds before September (when their legs have grown).
- Native pool frogs have been saved from extinction, thanks to a project between Scandinavia, Estonia and folks in Norfolk. They have louder calls thanks to inflatable pouches on their mouths. They breed much later in the year and even like to bask in the sunshine.
- Non-native frogs include marsh frogs and ‘edible frogs’ (due to being food for heron and grass snakes). Other non-native frogs include marsh frogs and ‘edible frogs’ (the name not due to the tragedy of being eaten in France, but because it provides foods for herons and grass snakes). Bull frogs are huge and eat other creatures (they only got released, due to people selling tadpoles in shops). They should not be released back into the wild.
Meet Our Terrific Toads
- Common toads hop and have dry warty skin, and prefer to breed in deeper water like ponds and reservoirs. Also brown or olive (females have red warts), they mostly hunt at night for snails, slugs, spiders, ants and beetles and like to remain in gardens if there is plenty of food around. Sometimes in summer after rain, you may find lots of ‘toadlets’ coming out of ponds! They are endangered due to lack of habitat so (like newts) must be considered with planning regulations.
- Natterjack toads are mostly found on coastal and marsh areas, and breed in warmer weather. They have shorter legs so walk (rather than hop) and have bold yellow stripes on their backs, making loud rasping calls (heard to up to a mile away) to attract mates.
- Non-native toads include midwife toads (a small grey toad brought to a Bedford garden 100 years ago but not really a concern) and African-clawed toads (these were imported here for use in pregnancy tests but a few escaped and again eat native species, so again should not be released into the wild).
England’s Newts & Lizards
England has three species of native newts: smooth newts, palmate newts and great-crested newts (plus non-native Italian-crested and common Alpine newts). Members of the salmander family, they also give birth to tadpoles that leave ponds, once gills are lost in late summer.
Common lizards (different to sand lizards found on coasts) are easily seen in England, often basking in sunny areas and usually dart to hide, if you spot them.
How to Help Our Frogs & Toads
- Don’t be concerned if a frog or toad is not in a pond (outside of breeding season). But if a creature looks trapped but unharmed, move within 1km to a body near water, shady area or compost heap. Report findings t0 Garden Dragon Watch. Move quietly to avoid disturbance.
- Use (not pet-toxic) aquatic plants in ponds to stop growth of too much green algae. Leave a hole for decaying pond debris gases to escape (never pour boiling water or salt on an icy pond, nor smash the ice). Delay pond maintenance until after beyond September (due to tadpoles) and use safer alternatives to netting (cut netting for caught creatures and release or rescue).
- Avoid strimmers. These are hazards for all wildlife, so get out your garden shears. If you use a strimmer (or mower) sweep gently with a broom handle beforehand. Don’t fork compost heaps and avoid bonfires (or move pile beforehand to let creatures escape).
- Never use slug pellets, these are lethal to wildlife and pets (dispose of securely). Even iron phosphate ‘organic slug pellets’ can harm. See safe humane ways to deter slugs and snails.
- Become a toad lollipop lady! Each year, toads cross roads to migration points. Some roads have thousands of toads crossing. Volunteer for Toad Patrol and keep wildlife safe near roads.
- For swimming pools, order Frog Log and Critter Skimmer. The first offers a little platform to safely escape, the second stops them getting caught in skimmers. Depending on pool size, you may need more than one. Cover pools, when not in use.
- Never eat frogs’ legs. Cruel, but also endangered in France, so most are imported from horrendous conditions.
- Use humane alternatives to dissection (frogs are still captured from the wild and covered in formaldhyde for medical schools).
How to Help Injured Amphibians
- If you find an injured creature, Wildlife Aid has useful advice. Wear gloves as oil, sweat or even warmth from hands could harm them (toads also excrete a nasty fluid).
- If a cat has brought in an unharmed frog or toad, take it to a safe area to release. If injured, take to a wildlife rescue (or drive in a ventilated box to a vet, to put it to sleep).
- Contact Arc (amphibian and reptile conservation) for expert advice. Report injured or dead amphibians to Garden Wildlife Health.
