Frogs in container pond?

[SkyChild]

My Auntie has a pond which is full of frogspawn, and she has offered me some but I'm almost positive this is a bad idea as I was under the impression frogs like wide shallow-edged ponds so they can get in and out.

My work-in-progress pond is in an old fashioned copper tea urn, so fairly upright and about 3ft tall and 1.5ft diameter. I don't want to move some frogspawn in for them to turn into frogs and not be able to get out of the pond and drown.

A traditional in-the-ground pond is out just now until the kiddiwinks are a bit older (Mother in law knew a toddler that drowned in a pond)

Sorry forgot to say - advice? Would frogs manage in this style of pond if there were rocks in the bottom/plants so they could climb out or will I just leave it until I get a proper pond?

[WendyC]

No I don't think this is a suitable container for frogspawn. I also think that because it is above ground the temperature variations will be quite big, i.e. heat up during the day but cool down at night, which might be difficult for the tadpoles/ froglets to cope with.

[Jungle Jane]

My neighbour had a large pond,I'd often find frogs & a newt in my tiny (2ft x 1ft wide, 6 inch high) water feature,it has plants & large stones to climb out. So you might get frog visitors depending on nearby ponds?

[Verinda]

When I was a child (and before we knew it was wrong) we used to have a large fish tank of frogspawn in the kitchen every year, they all turned into frogs and didn't seem bothered about the different kitchen temperatures.

Trouble is you aren't supposed to move frogspawn so it would be better to ensure that the frogs can get in and out of your tea urn and maybe next year they will turn up naturally.

[Bigmallly]

It is not advisable to move frog spawn:

Top facts about frog spawn | Countryfile.com

[SkyChild]

Excellent folks thanks
You are all backing up what I thought - best leave them alone just now and if any frogs turn up of their own accord, then that's their own business!

[Philthy]

Years ago an Aunty of mine had literally a washing up bowl sunk into a corner of her suburban garden, and every year it was always full of frisky frogs.

Our pond is not massive, but is at least an actual pond, with varying depths, plants etc. but every year... never any frog / toad spawn. The pond is below ground level, and surrounded by flag stones (ornamental rather than natural edging), but provision is made for any creatures wishing to get in / out to do so. But it would seem that the paving makes all the difference - I can't think why else the neighbourhood frogs would give us a wide berth at this time of year. They have no qualms about going in for a dip later in the summer... Oh well.

[Ancrum51]

Frog spawn in Dundee ???

Evening.
Ive just dug a fairly large wildlife pond in my garden in Dundee.
I have the rotting logs, the bug hotel, bird table, hibernaculum etc.etc. The pond plants are going in.
I dont have any frog spawn, and dont know anyone else with a pond.

Anyone in Dundee have some spare, or do I just let the amphibians find my expanse of water ?

Cheers,


Steve.

[Baldy]

^^^ they will find you (within a few months I expect)

b.t.w.
Welcome along...

[mrbadexample]

Evening.
Ive just dug a fairly large wildlife pond in my garden in Dundee.
I have the rotting logs, the bug hotel, bird table, hibernaculum etc.etc. The pond plants are going in.
I dont have any frog spawn, and dont know anyone else with a pond.

Anyone in Dundee have some spare, or do I just let the amphibians find my expanse of water ?

Cheers,


Steve.

Let them find their own way in Steve. You are advised against moving spawn as you can spread diseases - see the link in post #5.

And welcome to the forum...

[Small pumpkin]

Patients . Let nature take its course.

Welcome

[Snoop Puss]

Hello and welcome to the Vine, Ancrum.

Sounds like you've got a lovely set-up there. I'm sure they'll move in of their own accord when they're ready.