Frogs, toads and newts are amphibians, fascinating creaturs that face growing threats. Yet they play important parts in nature, to maintain ecological balance. These silent guardians eat slugs and munch on insects that threaten crops. They are agriculture’s natural helpers.
Frogs jump and toads walk. Endangered natterjack toads can be found amid sand dunes, so always keep to designated paths. Great crested newts (which look like mini dinosaurs) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
North American bullfrogs were illegally released in the wild (likely from the pet trade) and it’s illegal for them to be released into the wild as they eat other frogs (if sighted, they are usually caught and sent for disease testing). Just like mink, this shows the havoc created when irresponsible people import non-native species which harm both them and other species, due to human greed for the pet or fur trades.
Froglife is our national charity dedicated to helping all amphibians. The site is packed with advice on how to help frogs, toads and newts, and also has extensive information on ponds and pond safety. Along with expert help and services for planners and builders, to protect native habitats. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation also has good information including answering concerns (including information on planning advice and wildlife crime).
How to Help Frogs, Toads and Newts
- If you accidentally disturb an amphibian, place it back where you found it (away from cats and protected from frost, like under log piles).
- For all wildlife, use garden shears over strimmers, which cause awful injuries to frogs and hedgehogs in particular. If you do use a strimmer, then at least sweep through with a broom before use, to allow them to escape. Likewise, avoid ‘forking’ compost heaps – frogs in particular often like living under compost bins.
- Toads follow set migration patterns each year, and nothing will stop them. So grab your torch and wellies, and become a toad patroller in your area, where volunteers put toads in buckets, to help them safely cross busy roads.
- Amphibians like ponds (use sloping sides and avoid netting) but can live in most damp areas. Learn how to build a wildlife pond (which also covers pet-toxic plants to avoid).
- Keep pools covered when not in use. Frog Log and Critter Skimmer are two American inventions to stop small critters drowning. The first is platform for them to escape, the second stops them getting sucked into skimmers.
Threats to Amphibian Populations
- Habitat Loss. Picture a home being torn down brick by brick. That’s what’s happening to amphibian habitats due to urbanisation, deforestation, and agriculture. As we expand, their homes shrink. Forests are flattened for farmland, leaving amphibians homeless and vulnerable.
- Climate change means changes in temperature and moisture level, which can be deadly to amphibians, which rely on climatic conditions for breeding and survival. Even small shifts can lead to major disruptions in their life cycles.
- Pollution and disease. Pesticides and heavy metals contaminate their water, leading to deformities and death. Then there’s chytridiomycosis, a deadly fungal disease, wiping out populations worldwide. It’s a battle on two fronts, and amphibians are losing.
