Scientists have known for a long time that frogs and toads have been in trouble. The most significant culprits include climate change, disease, and loss of natural habitat due to wild fires and human development. Studies show frogs are disappearing at a rate of almost four percent annually and experts are afraid this decline may increase dramatically in the coming years.
What are the dangers of a declining population of our amphibious friends? Since frogs are natural pest controllers, studies show their demise could lead to drastic increases of mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.
They are also a critical food source for birds, fish, and other wildlife. The most significant contribution frogs make may be their role as environmental indicators, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
What can we do to help? By providing a welcoming environment in your garden, you contribute to their conservation efforts, said Jonthan Rold, Supervisor of Herpetology and Entomology at the Houston Zoo.
“The Houston Zoo works with Texas State University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and various other entities to bolster wild populations of Houston area toads. These animals have disappeared from much of their historical range due to human development,” he said.
“We have an ongoing program in which we release eggs back into protected habitat in Bastrop County. Because of the work of the zoo and our partners, we are seeing a resurgence of that local population.”
While spotting a little green tree frog on your front door or window may be unsettling to some, tree frogs are harmless, endearing creatures and sightings should be cause for celebration.
More likely than not, these adorable little frogs are seeking shelter from the relentless sun or the capricious weather. They pose no threat and, like most other frogs or toads, serve as valuable allies in maintaining a balance in local insect populations.
“Green tree frogs are a harmless species. They are beautiful little frogs and should be welcomed visitors to the exterior of our homes and the plants in our yards. They like places to hide so they can get out of the intense heat and sunlight during the day,” Rold said.
Rold has worked at the Houston Zoo for two years and has 20 years of experience working with reptiles and amphibians in other zoos.
“A very common frog is the American bullfrog. It is one of the most successful amphibian species. They have expanded their range west of the Rocky Mountains,” he said.
“These large frogs can eat just about anything that they can fit in their mouths. Other common frogs include the green and gray tree frogs, chorus frogs, cricket frogs, and spring peepers.”
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas is home to 42 different species of frogs and toads. The Galveston-Houston area boasts a diverse range of frogs, with Gulf Coast toads and American bullfrogs being frequently observed.
In coastal Texas, there are a number of common species of frogs and toads you may find ranging from one inch to six inches in length.
The Gulf Coast Toad is two to four inches long with a prominent stripe on its back and crest of its head. These toads are found in both urban and rural habitats and permanent and temporary wetlands. They breed in spring and summer and have a long, low, rattling trill for a call.
The Cricket Frog is small, about one inch in length, and comes in varying colors with small warts on its skin. They can be found near permanent water. The Cricket Frog breeds in spring and summer and their call sounds like marbles clicking together.
The Green Tree Frog is one-and-a-quarter to two-and-a-quarter inches long and is bright green with a distinct white line on its side. It is found in moist, wetland habitats including marshes, swamps, and riparian terrains. The Green Tree Frog breeds primarily in spring and summer and its call resembles the quacking of ducks or the honking of geese.
The Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad is a small frog, about one inch in length, and is oval shaped with dark coloring above and light mottling below. It is usually found in recently flooded wetlands. This toad breeds in late spring to summer, following rains. Its call is a loud, long bleat - similar to an airhorn.
The Southern Leopard Frog is two to three-and-a-half inches long with spots and a fold of skin on its back. It can be found in permanent bodies of water. The Southern Leopard Frog breeds year-round and its call varies from grunts and squeaks to chucks--like Woody Woodpecker.
The Bullfrog is the largest of frogs, from four to six inches in length and is greenish-gray in color above and white below. This frog has a prominent eardrum and is found in large bodies of water. The Bullfrog breeds in spring, summer, and fall and has a deep call that sounds like wind blowing across the top of a bottle.
Frogs are Invaluable
Rold said frogs have an insatiable appetite for insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and garden-destroying pests like aphids and slugs.
“A single frog can eat thousands of insects in a single season. Frogs and toads in our gardens and yards can reduce the number of pest insects thus reducing the amount of pesticide a homeowner would need to use.”
By having frogs in your garden, you're essentially enlisting their services as your own private pest management team, reducing the need for chemical pesticides, Rold said.
“Frogs play the role of both predator and prey. They are an important food item to many animals, and they eat lots of invertebrate prey.”
These creatures are a valuable part of Earth's biodiversity, and by protecting them, you play a vital role in preserving the planet's delicate ecological balance. By hosting frogs in your garden, you are indirectly supporting the entire ecosystem, contributing to a healthy and thriving environment.
“They also function as an indicator species. They are extremely sensitive to environmental changes,” Rold said.
“Amphibian decline in an area can give us early clues of environmental problems from polluted or disappearing water bodies to excessive pressure from human development fragmenting and degrading habitat.”
If you find a toad, proceed with caution, Rold said. Toads generate a defensive toxin to ward off potential predators. These toxins can make pets ill if they try to eat or mouth the toads.
For the safety of all concerned, it is best not to handle frogs because “they have permeable skin and any chemicals on your hands can potentially harm the animal,” he said. “If you must handle amphibians, it is best to use latex or nitrile gloves without powder.”
If you don’t want to be hospitable, Rold says reducing outdoor structures that provide that cover can reduce the number of frogs you might see. When it comes to the tiny Green Tree Frog, Rold says the only valid cause for relocating it is if its present environment puts the frog's well-being at immediate risk.
“If they must be moved, a pair of latex gloves will ensure the safety of the animal,” he said. “You can gently cup the animal between your hands and move it to a plant that is shaded and safely out of harm’s way.”
But why do that? These little guys bestow an organic splendor and fascination upon your garden. Their vibrant green hues and distinctive calls foster a tranquil ambiance, heightening the overall allure of your outdoor haven.
While you may not necessarily desire one to hop into your house, Rold hopes people will come to appreciate their innocence, their resilience, and their ability to bring unexpected delight to your doorstep.
They do not pose any threat to people, pets, or plants. In fact, they are quite shy and elusive creatures, preferring to hide during the day and emerge at night to feed on insects. They are more likely to be an asset than a nuisance.
Rold’s advice: If a frog chooses your home as its dwelling, you should feel honored, as it symbolizes a harmonious coexistence with nature and a guardian presence against unwelcome pests.
“This is a beautiful and harmless animal that should be welcomed into our yards.”