Leap frog into spring

Are you being driven mad at night by a chorus of bullfrogs in your fishpond? With the warmer evenings, comes a colony of croakers bringing the sounds of spring to your garden. Some embrace the handy hoppers, who catch nasty goggas such as mosquitoes and flies, but others dislike the evening choirs.

Nick Evans from the KZN Amphibian and Reptile Conservation said frogs call for a reason and that we should enjoy their chatting.

“Most of the time, you are hearing males calling for females. These calls are known as advertisement calls. Male frogs can also make calls to cause the opposite effect, to keep other frogs away, which is known as aggressive calls,” said the frog enthusiast.

Male frogs often call from the same spot each night, as they do not want another male too close by to steal a mate.

“Female frogs call to signal an end to mating, known as a release call. Some poor males, who get clasped onto by another male frog by accident, will also make a release call!”

Frogs also make distress calls if they are being harassed or attacked or want to warn others of nearby danger.

The sight of a croaking frog is quite spectacular, as Evans explained that their subgular flap, an elastic membrane underneath their jaw, expands and vibrates, giving off a surprisingly loud noise.

He said the North Coast boasts an abundance of beautiful frog species, including the critically endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog, which only occurs in a few wetlands along our coastline.

Evans said having frogs in your garden is a compliment to you, as they only choose areas with healthy ecosystems, where there is a lot of insect life.

So, next time you hear a frog chorus in your garden, get your torch out and go look for the little bodies with the loud voices.

For more information about frogs, frogging evenings and reptiles, you can like KZN Amphibian and Reptile Conservation on Facebook or send a mail to nickevanskzn@gmail.com.