Sick frog

[shadow4]

Hi, my first post. I hope someone can help/

A frog appeared in our garden last week, s/he has been sitting in the same spot. This morning he is in the same place but appears to be slumped over and lethargic.
Does anyone know if there's anything we can do to help him/her. Could this be normal for this time of year having just come out of hibernation?

He has a bowl of water close by but as far as I know has not made any attempt to get in there.

There are also two snails in front of him which also don't appear to be moving or being eaten.

Many thanks for any advice.

[sarahjc]

We had a sick frog last year, one of its legs had been ripped off! It seemed to hang around the pond for a couple of weeks, then disappeared. I almost wanted to put it out of its misery but then thought I should let nature takes its course. Sorry I can't actually be of any help!

[shadow4]

Thanks for replying sarahJC - appreciate it. Still don't know what to do, he hasn't moved although looks perkier at times and then slumps again.

Poor frog, losing a leg

[Mungo]

Just wanted to welcome you to WAB Shaddow

[RED]

Could you take a pic of him ??
It might help someone identify what may be the problem

[steve deighton]

It sounds to me like this frog is still drowsy from its hibernation, its probably a female as the males tend to hibernate at the bottom of a pond and remain there till the females come to the pond for breeding. she probably has a belly full of spawn as well so she will need to feed to build her strength back up. If the pond is nearby i would probably put the frog in i know u shouldnt really interfere but it will probably be the frogs best chance of survival as there will be plenty of food in the pond for it.

[shadow4]

Thanks for replies. I will try to get a pic tomorrow.
Unfortunately we haven't got a pond. S/he first appeared last year and used to hop around. We put bowls and dishes of water out of various depths for it. then another one appeared and then i assume they both hibernated. I've only seen this one so far this year. Is there anything I can get foodwise, someone suggested mealworms. Will they eat those?

[Hedgehoggy]

Hi Shadow, I don't really know much about frogs but the fact that it hasn't moved from the same spot in over a week sounds most odd. I wouldn't have thought post-hibernation drowsiness would last this long (but I could be wrong). Perhaps it's poorly, but if this were the case, I'm really surprised it's still alive after this length of time, or that it hasn't yet been predated if it hasn't moved.

Is the frog in a sheltered place in your garden and can you be certain the frog isn't active at night and merely returning to the same spot to hide in your garden during the day?

I looked up their diet on the BBC Science & Nature website and it states that frogs do not eat at all during the breeding season, but outside of the breeding season they feed on insects, slugs, snails and worms. If the frog is still there tomorrow, you could try digging up a couple of earthworms and leave them near the frog, then observe from a distance (I don't know about frogs, but most wildlife feel threatened by human presence and will therefore not eat when scared).

Have attached the link to the BBC frog page for you to read through:
BBC - Science & Nature - Wildfacts - Common frog, grass frog

[shadow4]

Hi, I went out to check on the frog and it has moved. I guess the heavy rain was the cause. A good sign I suppose, as if it was that poorly it wouldn't have. It was in a sheltered spot, under a grassy plant with Ivy around, very hidden. I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks for all responses.