Large Frog/Toad in Apartment Complex Fountain

wolfpawnat

Hey all.

I live in a large apartment complex near the M50 in Dublin. While walking my son around near the fountain feature that runs through the complex today I noticed frog spawn in the end part of the feature. And two very large dark coloured toads/frogs.

They were not black, but for the lack of a better colour description navy, in colour, about 10cm long plus another 15-20cm in the leg length. I have never seen any frogs here so large and I was wondering if any one could tell me what they are. I could not take photo's of it that showed them as they are using the dead leaves and branches as cover, they are nearly indistinguishable from them!

I am concerned for their welfare and before I contact the management with regards the matter (I want to inform them so they do not get anyone to clean the debris from the fountain while the spawn is developing), I want to know are they a rarer breed, etc. I cannot find any photo's of them online.

I hope someone here would know the amphibian I am referring to!

Thank you for all your help!

wolfpawnat

And as though just to píss me off, 3 scumbags that do not live here just came and put washing foam into the water feature. Can the parents and spawn survive that level of pollution!

Half-cocked

Sounds like some one dumped unwanted pets. These don't fit the description of native frogs. Maybe call the DSPCA?

Feargal as Luimneach

No it will kill them. Frogs are very sensitive to toxins. The washing soda would also elevate the ph of the water ( not good). They can absorb toxins transcutaneously since their skin is permeable. I would remove the spawn and rinse it gently with bottled still water ( to remove trace of washing soda). Try and find a pond and place it in the pond. The spawn would be ok in a bucket of still water for tonight (till you find a pond).

The adults would be hard caught. To help them put a hose in the fountain and turn it on. This will help dilute the washing soda out. Act quickly, they will be in the fountain now it's dark.

They are probably common frogs not toads. Our only toad species the Natterjack toad is endangered and Rare. It is only found in a few coastal locations in Kerry and in a site in Wexford.

Subhuman scum:mad::mad::mad:

EgoTeVocabo

Hard though it may seem, spawn should never be moved. One, it's illegal to move it, and two, if they are an invasive species and not frogs it may do harm to introduce them elsewhere.

magicbastarder

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

Subhuman scum:mad::mad::mad:

to be fair, i doubt they did it to kill the frogs, they probably just did it as a prank to foam up the fountain.

Feargal as Luimneach

EgoTeVocabo wrote: »

Hard though it may seem, spawn should never be moved. One, it's illegal to move it,.

Sometimes you have to be practical, if the spawn is in danger I would move it.

if they are an invasive species and not frogs it may do harm to introduce them elsewhere

It is a huge coincidence that they are spawning at the exact same time as Common frogs. They are 99.9% Common Frogs.

Half-cocked

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

Sometimes you have to be practical, if the spawn is in danger I would move it.

As far as I know the Wildlife Act does allow spawn to be removed if it is in danger.

wolfpawnat

Hello all, thanks for the replies.

Thankfully the wind and the placement of the spawn has meant that the adults are alive and well and the spawn still seem to be ok too. I am checking on them throughout the day. And the foam has gone completely now.

wolfpawnat

What act is the one that protects the spawn, I want to inform the company in charge of the complex that they are there and what conservation rights they have, because I do not trust the company in charge of this place.

Half-cocked

Contact your NPWS wildlife ranger, check out the website for details. They are protected under the Wildlife Act but enforcement is atrocious in this little banana republic of ours.

Just because the foam is gone doesn't mean the water isn't still polluted, I think you'll still need to get them out. From your initial description, I'm not sure they are native species, and releasing a non-native species into the wild is an offence under the same Act! Any chance of a photo?

wolfpawnat

You will have to wait til tomorrow. I was not able to get a pic the other day, but I will try again in the morning!