Safe Frogwatching
Of course, any time you are out in the countryside, you will want to take some
basic precautions. We just want to remind you of a few of them!
- Never frogwatch alone, especially if you are some distance from a road.
Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
- Don’t wade out into ponds or marshes – you will scare the frogs, and there
is the risk that you may slip and fall into the water.
- Make sure dogs are leashed – better still, leave them at home. They will
frighten off the frogs as well.
- Keep a close eye on your children.
- Have a first aid kit in the car, and a change of clothes just in case you do
get wet.
- Watch for stinging insects such as wasps. Never step on logs or over them without
looking, as you may put your foot straight into a wasp nest on the ground. This is
not fun at all! If you have an allergy to stings, be absolutely sure you have your
sting kit with you.
- If you are frogwatching on private land, ask permission from the landowner.
- For the safety of our froggy friends, don’t pick up the amphibians you see.
Their permeable skin can absorb toxins from your hands – even something like
sunscreen can cause them real problems. Human skin is tougher than we think,
and amphibian skin is very fragile.
Photo © Heather Waye. No reproduction or distribution without permission.
Top