Colourful Autumn Frogs. Healthy?

[JaySteel]

Hi everyone. I was out in the garden today picking up leaves and cutting back the brambles. Much of my garden is left for the frogs so it doesn't get too much maintenance. I found several frogs hoping around whilst picking up the leaves. This is not uncommon as I've always had frogs there for the last 27 years. Today though they looked distinctly different. My frogs are always green but these ones were pretty red in colour. I know red frogs are not rare in the UK but they are to my garden. I'm just hoping that they haven't gat the dreaded ranavirus or something similar. Can anyone tell by looking at these shots? They didn't have any sores and they all seemed very healthy. In fact the frog in the first photo was huge. It looked like it had come straight from the gym! lol





















Jason

[marvin]

look fine to me...nice pics too

tim

[JaySteel]

Thanks. It was just the reddish colour that was worrying me simply because I haven't seen any that colour before in my garden.

[JaySteel]

I've just had an email from Lee Brady (One of the committee for the Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group) and he assures me that they all look well and healthy so all is good!

Jason

[jaelen]

I read in another thread about a month ago that they can change their colours to some extent, to blend in with their background... maybe they've gone slightly reddish brown to camouflage themselves in your leaves?

They are very autumnal looking frogs!

and those are absolutely gorgeous photos.

[Mark_b]

Originally Posted by JaySteel

Lovely pecs

[JaySteel]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

Originally Posted by jaelen

I read in another thread about a month ago that they can change their colours to some extent, to blend in with their background... maybe they've gone slightly reddish brown to camouflage themselves in your leaves?

I also read that thread with interest. There is conflicting information on this subject in books as well as on the internet. Some claim that the Common Frog can change its colour to match its surroundings whilst others claim that the Common Frog's colour changing abilities are minimal. I have seen frogs in many different colours but all the frogs found in my garden over the last 27 years have always been yellowy-green or greenish-brown whatever time of year they've been found. These red frogs could be a new morph to my garden or it could be a gradual change in colour to match the season although personally I think I'm inclined to lean towards the first. I witness the Common Toad changing shade on a regular basis. They don't change colour but definitely shade. When I find toads under logs or piles or debris they are often very dark in colour some almost appearing black. Once disturbed they become active,their blood starts to flow around their bodies and their skin quickly changes to a much lighter shade and their true colour is revealed.


Jason

[toadpole]

Mark-b thats exactly what i was thinking !!!! ''somebodys been working out ready for all the ladies next spring : '' marion

[JaySteel]

The worrying thing is a frog that size probably is a female!


Jason

[Billabong Karen]

Great photos Jay.

I am convinced frogs can change their colour - I had only ever seen green/brown frogs around my garden and the woods nearby, until I nearly stepped on one on a walk recently, that was totally camouflaged by its reddish colour amongst the wet beech leaves. It would have stuck out like a sore thumb in greenery, but was hardly distinguishable in the leaves. I really feel it is likely they can change colour, probably slowly, to fit in with their surroundings. After all, many other amphibians can do this, why not frogs??