Frog Spawn

[theobenmike 0]

Took this yesterday, I think it was freshly laid as I hadn't noticed it before

 

[AIRGUNNER 1]

Certainly is mate ive seen hundreds of frogs and toads lately on the lakes, its actually surprising how many there are

[Tis TM 8]

Facinating stuff

 

Now, I heard from a friend a couple of nights ago, that it is illeagle to move frog spawn! I never knew that... is that correct?

My kids have come home from school for the last 3 years saying they have it in a tank in the classrooms, and they do projects on the cycles of the tadpole..... so I was a little bemused I'd never move it as I think generally frogs know the best place for thier littluns!!....but can anyone enlighten further????

(sorry to go off on a tangent to your thread theobenmike!)

[theobenmike 0]

Tis TM - I found this info on the linconshire wildlife trust site, I don't think it's illegal I may be wrong though

 

Moving spawn

 

It is NOT recommended to move spawn at all, even from an apparently overcrowded pond. Let the spawn achieve a natural balance - "too many" tadpoles are a vital food source for many creatures, including their own brothers and sisters!

 

Other concerns about moving spawn are to do with possible transference of diseases and inadvertently spreading invasive weeds such as Crassula helmsii (Australian marsh stonecrop) and azolla (Fairy fern). If you have to transfer spawn because the site is being destroyed, please consult the conservation officer at the Trust for advice. NEVER transfer adult amphibians unless they are in immediate danger.

 

Garden ponds should ideally not have fish in as they eat tadpoles, be at least 60 centimetres deep for toads, should have gently sloping sides to allow new froglets to emerge from the water and also have plants in the water and round the outside of the pond to give adults plenty of shelter.

 

It is best to watch tadpoles from the side of a pond, but if you must bring some indoors, keep them in a tank with 5 litres of water per tadpole and away from strong sunlight. The water should preferably be from the pond and newly hatched tadpoles will need pond weed to feed on and hold onto. After a few days, nettles and spinach blanched in hot water can be given. At about the time that back legs start to appear, tadpoles begin to eat meat, so protein based flaked fish food may be added at this stage, but only as much as can be eaten in one hour. Newly metamorphosed tadpoles need easy ways to get out of the water as they begin to use their newly formed lungs to breathe. At this stage, when the back legs have fully formed, the tadpoles should be released at the edge of the pond, preferably the same pond that they came from. Choose a warm day, but don't leave them in direct sunlight.

 

 

 

Health and Disease

 

For information on causes of frog mortality including spawn failure, tadpole loss and disease in adult frogs, please see the Froglife Advice Sheet - 'Amphibian Health and Disease' on the Froglife website (www.froglife.org).

 

NOTE

To download the Froglife Advice Sheet please right-click on the above link and select to "Save Target As...". You will be prompted to save the PDF file to a location on your own computer.

 

 

 

Legislation

 

Our native amphibia have been protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All amphibians are given some protection, but the natterjack toad and great crested or warty newt have been given special protection.

 

Unless you have a licence, it is illegal to offer for sale (which includes hire, barter or exchange) ANY amphibia. With the specially protected species, it is illegal to kill, injure or catch or attempt to do these things; or to have in your possession (unless legally obtained); or to sell; or to damage, destroy or obstruct any place being used for shelter or protection; or to disturb these animals. If you are found doing any of these things there is a fine of up to £1,000 for each animal involved. There are exceptions for accidental killings and for situations which could not reasonably have been avoided.

 

It is also illegal to introduce into the wild any non-native species as was done in the past with the African clawed toad and European tree frog. Even though these are locally established it is illegal to introduce more of them. This offence carries an unlimited fine.

[Tis TM 8]

Interesting read!! thankyou......

I remember doing all sorts of things with tadpoles and spawn when I was a kid, keeping them in ice cream tubs for a few days too watch............................

I even put a lump of spawn in my mouth for a dare once.... :sick: Bit like cold tapioca :sick:

(I've grown out of doing silly dares now!)

[Kay 3,709]

There was something on the BBc website regarding the moving of frog spawn last week i will see if i can find it