I found one of those on our lawn a few weeks ago, and I was told they like to come out and bask both after a heavy rain and where people are irrigating regularly. We had just watered the grass. He was there for 2 days, and then went away. I was also told they generally live underground, and are beneficial as they eat mosquitoes and other bad bugs. You can even buy toad houses for them at nurseries and Home Depot. We didn't go that far!

What about this....

Here is a link that might be useful: What to do with a very large frog......

Go to the Discovery Planet Store and look in the Audubon book of reptiles and amphibians, and see if you can find a similar one that lives in a range where you found it. Then report back here- I'd kinda like to know, and I'm probably not the only one.

Well I'v been watching him and he decided to take a swim and made a jump of atleast 5 feet into the pond. He stayed in the pond for awhile and now has moved out and is sitting under a rose bush. He has small brown spots on him and a light belly. And very strong legs!!! I think he is a bull frog but I'd not sure they get that big.I'll keep you posted.

My guess would be a Colorado River Toad. They are huge. Don't let your dogs around them, if you have dogs. The toads have a nasty toxin, and the dogs like to chase and bite them. The toxin can kill dogs or whatever animal bites them.

I think they changed the name of this toad to the Sonoran Desert Toad, because it's not just found around the Colorado river. They have been around our old place near the Rillito in Tucson.

I used to see them at night when I would pull up in the truck, and the headlights would shine on them. Since they are toads, they only need ephemeral pools to reproduce in. They can live without running water mostly.

Here's one at link below, along with good info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado River Toad

Does your skinny dipper look like this? This is Betty Bull Frog, She lives in my ponds with her DH Buford :)
{{gwi:422161}}

Wish I could have a pond and a frog. But my dogs would
always be wet and muddy and they would definitely get the
frog.

Gemfire

Hey, Nina (?), I don't know where you live, but if that bugger eats mosquitoes and you decide you don't want him/her, I'll be happy to give h/h a home! I had a big frog (toad?) in my garden several years ago. Best insect control method I ever found.

Ok I think he is a bull frog. I looked all over and checked out the info you all sent and I think that fits the best. He seem pretty happy right now so I think I'll just let him hang and if he decides to stay that will be cool. My kids like the turtle and i think the frog will also be fun to watch. Who know Tucson would be so interesting!!:)I'll keep you posted on the developments. I do wonder where he came from!

Trolip, Did you buy Betty and Buford like at PetSmart or somewhere? Or is it more of a "build the pool, they will come" kind of thing?

How do you control algae? I love the idea of a pond and our lot is sizable enough that I could do that. Is it hard to maintain?

Thanks
Mary

I bought Betty & Buford as Taddies from a plant nursery on 7th street 4 yrs ago. Ponds are very hard work and take a while to find a balance between fish/plants/sun. Once you've got it figured out it takes minimal care :) Buy books, research on line, study, study, study before jumping in.

Hello all-

This is my first post here. Lots of great tips found here and some really nice camaraderie. I usually just peruse the forums but after reading this thread I felt/feel compelled to chime in about the occurrence of bullfrogs in backyard ponds.

Backyard ponds are a lot of fun (I have one myself). Bullfrogs however are not a lot of fun. They are the great white shark of the frog world and can eat anything they can fit into their mouths. They have been known to eat other frogs, toads, fish, mammals (even bats!!), turtles, snakes... you name it! Bullfrogs are not native to the southwestern US and are partly responsible for the declines of many native animals that live in here in AZ. There is a great brochure published by the Tucson Herpetological Society that discusses Bullfrogs and other exotic pests that are frequently attracted to backyard ponds. I do hope you will have a look. Thanks! Happy gardening!

Tlaconete

Here is a link that might be useful: backyard ponds brochure

Yeow, Tlaconete, I had no idea! I guess I'm hoping that what Nina Gretta has is a Leopard frog instead. That would be a real catch. Thanks for posting that link!

Yes, it's quite a shame that bullfrogs were introduced to Az's lands. They are, however, a part of the wildlife here now. You can get bullfrogs as tadpoles at the river- we did and we love 'em. I have seen one of them eat another one, it was entertaining. They will eat small fish (if they can catch them, frogs have TERRIBLE eyesight).

If what you have is a leopard frog- you are not likely going to have it long. Unlike a bullfrog that will sit for just about forever waiting for food, a leopard frog will travel to find food, usually quite a ways (no patience!)

We love our frogs, it adds more to the ponding experience than takes away IMO. They are a joy to see and watch AND hear. To each his own! :-)
Lynn

Oh, my! Those frogs look very scary to me. I would die if I saw a frog eat a frog. Yuck! The frogs I like the best are the cement kind.

Frogs think other frogs taste like chicken ;)
{{gwi:422162}}

Is that a photo of Missy or Buford?

Lynn,

Yes Bullfrogs are now part of AZ's wildlife, however that does not mean we should perpetuate the problem by transporting them to locations where they don't exist (e.g. from the river to your pond) in spite of how neat it is to see a frog in your backyard. Many people are working hard to remove Bullfrogs from various locations. ItÂs a shame to hear that their work is unknowingly becoming undone.

Bullfrogs are an environmental disaster that is costing all of us in one way or another- that includes financially. Who do you think pays for the recovery of listed species like Leopard Frogs? You do, I do, we all do. Your comment "To each his own" is really inappropriate here. I certainly understand and appreciate the enjoyment that comes from your pond and creating your own mini-ecosystem. However I think we should all do so in a responsible manner. I also believe it is now illegal to transport Bullfrogs.

Not only do Bullfrogs eat anything they can fit into their mouth, but they are also one of the most prolifically reproductive animals in the world. They are also amazingly mobile. A friend of mine who studied Bullfrogs has told me that in a single summer they can move up to 8 miles!! These three traits make bullfrogs a nearly indestructible predator. Please do think twice about bringing them home. I, and IÂm sure many others would dearly love to be able to visit places like the Salt River and see native aquatic species again. Today that just isnÂt possible.

Sincerely,
Tlaconete

Lions and Tigers and Frogs....
OH MY..........................!

azreno, I liked your first suggestion... ROFL! :0

Trudi

While I do feel for animal species that are threatened, I don't think it's wise to put heroic measures into saving them (there are other more deserving efforts- like saving the rain forests to protect OUR livlihood). I'm a firm believer in evolution and survival of the fittest. This time that we're living in right now would not be the first period of vast extinctions- it's proven to be quite a repetitive process in the millions of years here on earth, and quite possibly not a process that we SHOULD be tampering with. Extinctions make room for other animals to evolve, and with all that we've done to the world there is a great need for that if we'd like any of them to survive in our wake.

I hope not to have opened a ball of worms here about religion, but I would not have you preach to me about being at cross purposes to how the government spends MY MONEY! Just because the government or someone else is spending money on it, doesn't make it the right thing to do and it definitely doesn't mean I AGREE with it.

You obviously feel very strongly about your opinion, that's great! You should. But when you become so righteous that you don't leave room for other possible options, you are offensive.

Thanks Trudi! I thought it was funny, too- no one else seemed think so. My mom always loved frog legs ;-)

Lynn

*I* thought it was funny. Hey, a little humor never hurts. - - I started to say more but I think I'll just head over to cacti and succulents for a while.

Mary

Wow! I never expecteds all this to come from a question about a frog! The frog, bull or not seems to be happy in my pond. I have not noticed anyone missing, and as of today I still have everything I starter with. I see it that if he found his way here, who am I to make him leave. I do think the recipe azreno put up sounds good but I don't like frog legs.:) Thanks for all the inputs and different views. I have enjoyed reading.

If anyone tries it they'll have to let us all know how it tasted- like chicken or not! :-)

Frog legs are very tasty! They are like chicken in that they are mild tasting. Only problem is their jumping about in the fry-pan. :-(

Frogs should usually be easy to tell apart from toads. Toads are bumpy, shorter bodied, and have shorter legs and almost no webbing on their feet. Toads like moisture but don't hang out in the water, whereas frogs do. ALSO, horny toads are actually lizards! I hope this makes everything clear to you people! :)