Giant Frog!

Is it a good thing a giant frog has taken up residence in my garden? He has found himself a home under one of my tomato plants and in the corner. I am not sure how he managed to get in the garden considering my box is like 20" tall or so (maybe taller). My thinking is he will eat the bugs I want to get rid of, but maybe he is not a good thing. Thoughts?

A good thing, he will eat the bugs for you
Ha-v-v

That is what I was hoping for! Maybe my garden's salvation will come in the form of a giant frog! The bugs have been feasting! And no he is!

is it really a frog? or do you have a garden toad? a good thing.

Yes !!! its so cool.

I am so jealous.....I would love to have a garden frog or toad.

I am too far from the river I think.

Ha! Camp, I guess you are right. I just call everything a frog. I went and googled the differences and as far as appearance goes he looks more like a frog, but I don't have a water source nearby (immediately, there is a river, creek and such but at least a half mile away). Thus my guess is he must be a toad.

Kiss it, kiss it ...it may be a trapped prince !!

That is too funny, because that is exactly what my four year old daughter said! Too much disney princess influence around here when that is the first thing that comes to her mind. She was fully prepared to try.

Post a photo and we'll help identify your garden guest! Frog and toads are great garden friends.

How great! I've got lizards that love my garden, especially the area where I've got trellised plants up against a fence, providing a nice shady hiding place for them.

I am hoping to import some garden friends. Last night a friend was telling me about their yard being overrun with garter snakes. He told one of the neighbor kids that he would pay him to catch some and release them in the woods across the street. I told him that I would take a few of them as well for my garden! As there are no poisonous snakes in our area, I will take whatever kind they happen to be! I have a nice shed with a crawl space under it that is currently housing a destructive bunny, so if I can get the snakes to inhabit it instead, I will be one HAPPY gardener!

TC

Please, Please be careful.
Last year I had a large black toad in my garden.
I was thrilled but my beloved bulldog got hold of it
and it emitted some kind of poison and killed her.

I happen to love frogs and my family is always giving
me frog statues and stuffed toy frogs but I worry
about the real ones.
Just a warning!

Thanks for the warning. I do not have a dog, but I do have two small children. It's always nice to be aware of what could pose a hazard.

Goosegirl wrote:I am hoping to import some garden friends. Last night a friend was telling me about their yard being overrun with garter snakes. He told one of the neighbor kids that he would pay him to catch some and release them in the woods across the street. I told him that I would take a few of them as well for my garden! As there are no poisonous snakes in our area, I will take whatever kind they happen to be! I have a nice shed with a crawl space under it that is currently housing a destructive bunny, so if I can get the snakes to inhabit it instead, I will be one HAPPY gardener!

TC

We do have poisonous snakes in our area, so hopefully I don't attract any of those! Yikes!

graficow wrote:Please, Please be careful.
Last year I had a large black toad in my garden.
I was thrilled but my beloved bulldog got hold of it
and it emitted some kind of poison and killed her.

I happen to love frogs and my family is always giving
me frog statues and stuffed toy frogs but I worry
about the real ones.
Just a warning!

Unfortunately, your dog probably got a cane toad, a very toxic toad native to Central and South America. It can also be seen in southern TX. It is an imported problem in FL, but since it is a tropical toad, it should not be a problem in most areas of the US.

Most native toads can exude a mild (but bitter) toxin that can be irritating to the mouth and will cause a dog to foam at the mouth. They will sometimes paw at their mouths or rub their faces, but unless they have a rare allergic reaction, it will not cause any long term damage or problems. Flush their mouth out with water to relieve the symptoms quicker.

I welcome toads to my garden as part of the diversity that helps control some of those bad bugs.

I'm very sorry to hear about your bulldog, I would be devastated if that happened to one of my babies. Anyone that lives in FL or TX should be aware of this potentially dangerous toad that can even make a person ill if someone were to handle it and touch their mouth without washing their hands. It is toxic in the tadpole stage as well.

Odd Duck, So good to see you post again! I hope all is well in your world! I truly value your posts, I always learn something good! Cheers!!!

Thanks for the info about the cane toad. Sounds like something I should watch out for and I was not aware of it!

camprn wrote:Odd Duck, So good to see you post again! I hope all is well in your world! I truly value your posts, I always learn something good! Cheers!!!

Hi, camprn, I've had some computer troubles, so not posting much lately. Thanks for the "hello".

Computer troubles SUCK. Nice to see you again.

Gwynn