by James Johnson

Created on: November 04, 2009

A confusing topic, "guide to catching frogs". Does this mean a guide to the techniques for catching frogs, a guide to different types of frogs one may catch, or how to be a guide for catching frogs? It doesn't really matter as a biologist and nature guide I can actually answer all three!

First thing of importance is knowing where to look for frogs. They prefer damp wet areas where their skin won't dry out and where they can lay their eggs. The water needs to be relatively clean, free from pesticide, oil, fertilizers and such. Ponds and marshes are best. In many cases you can actually put out large buckets of water and the frogs will find them when the mosquitoes find them. The buckets can even trap and catch the frogs for you if you have patience.

Place a low, wide bucket in a shaded or damp area and let it sit for several weeks. You may need to add water to keep it from drying out. Put in a bit of dirt and some leaves, you are creating an artificial frog pond. As insects get attracted to the water, so will frogs and both will lay eggs. You can catch the adults, but it is better to watch the eggs and then collect the tadpoles and put in an aquarium

The techniques for catching frogs in the wild is simple, be quick, quiet and efficient. Remember that while toads hop, frogs leap, and they usually leap either straight up or in a straight line. If using a net, this is essential information, go straight for where the nose is pointing. If catching by hand, it can be even trickier. Try using a red light as it seems to hypnotize the amphibians and they will sit perfectly still for about 5 seconds, which is enough time to scoop them up.

What are the best frogs to catch? The large frogs such as the American Bull Frog or the "Mountain Chicken" of the Caribbean. They are large, easy to spot and if catching them for pets easier to find when they escape. Tree frogs are much smaller, some around 0.5 inches long and they make useful barometers (They start mating calls just before rain storms), but when they get out, they are gone.

Being a guide for catching frogs means learning all the previous information and again, being quite, quick and efficient. Learn where the frogs hide and then catch them as they jump.

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