A question I ought to know.....

[Digifrog]

Heloo

Can anyone tell me if stinging nettles are harmful to frogs? I have now a well established nettle plant in my garden (which i kinda like coz butterflies like them) but I'm not sure what reaction, if any, if a frogs happens to come into contact with it. Thanks in advance.

[aeshna5]

I can't say whether frogs can be stung or not- but they certainly happily live + feed amongst them, so I wouldn't worry too much!

[nightshade]

Well done, this question will bother me now until it is resolved.I have never actually seen frogs in amongst nettles.Frogs are sensitive to chemicals through their thin skins and if I can be stung through the thick skin of my hands I would imagine Frogs would be susceptible to
nettle stings.However at ground level the nettle stems have fewer stinging cells and no dense foliage so the odds of being stung must be pretty remote.Leave the nettle where it is and grow a Dock nearby

[Bushcraft]

I cant be sure but I think the coating of the frogs skin would aid to protect them when it comes to stings. I have loads of frogs in my garden and they are always in a large patch of nettles, and I don't have a pond.

Kris

[chunkychambers]

I don't really know but just a thought.......when we have nettle eating contests in the pubs down here the contestents fold the leaves from the bottom in an attempt to avoid being stung!
So perhaps the frogs are allright as long as they are underneath the plant, it's great protection.

[Digifrog]

Thanks everyone. Well for now I shalln't worry too much about it. The general feeling that it is harmless. That and winter is coming so the nettle will be dying back and the frogs are in hibernation somewhat.

I think I will be searching a definate answer tho by next spring from Froglife or similar. Don't want stung frogs now.