Frogging at Garonga!

One of the more exciting and enjoyable activities we do with our students each course is Frogging. This usually entails a drive to a nearby dam or pan where the search begins. Male frogs and toads advertise their presence to females by calling after it has been raining. They usually do this from concealed positions in and around a water body and tend to keep quiet once disturbed. Therefore, stealth when frogging is vital.

The night after the new bunch of students arrived at the Garonga campus, we had a good, solid downpour, and so, the next evening we decided to do a bit of frogging around the farmhouse as an introduction. As night fell the wind picked up a bit and the temperature dropped, not ideal conditions for frogs, but we decided to give it a go as all the students were already excited. After explaining what the activity entailed, we all went off in different directions with our head-torches to begin the search. Each new species we found was popped into a bottle and was later examined once we had re-assembled. We concentrated our efforts around the pool, the water feature and the bird-bath, although we also picked up one or two in the long, still sodden grass.

Although not the most successful frogging session we have had, we still managed to find 8 different species. These included the banded rubber frog (pictured), bubbling Kassina, Common Platanna, Foam nest frog, Russet-backed sand frog, Tremelo sand frog, Eastern Olive toad and Red toad.

Once we had joined up as a group in front of the farmhouse, we had a closer look at each different species, paying particular attention to anatomy, the distinguishing features of each as well as any specific adaptations to their specific lifestyles. Although a good start, we still have many frogging sessions to come. With a growing list of 18 species we have so far identified in the area, we still have much to discover.

The Bushwise Team, Garonga

Frogging at Garonga!