Frogs are cute little animals that feed on insects. Whether you want to add a frog to your terrarium, place it in your home pond or just observe it closely, you will first need to capture a specimen. Follow the steps in this article to become a good frog hunter.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing the Right Network and Zone
Step 1. Choose the fill
There are many features to look at when choosing the screen. In particular, you should take into account the width of the links, the size and shape of the mouth and the length of the handle. Using a screen is advisable if you are a complete beginner but, if you don't have one and you don't intend to buy one, you can always try it with your bare hands.
- First of all, choose a fine mesh screen. The mesh should be tight enough not to allow the frog to poke its head in. Large mesh nets are dangerous, as the frog, in an attempt to free himself, could seriously injure himself by putting his head between the meshes of the net. The use of excessively long nets, such as those for collecting butterflies, is not recommended.
- The mouth and net should be wide enough to fit a frog. The mouth must be flexible, so as to flush out the beast among the rocks or under a log.
Step 2. The length of the handle should match your size (or be slightly generous)
Too long handles, such as those of butterfly nets, are not suitable for catching frogs. Shorter handles are also more manageable.
Step 3. Choose the hunting area
A pond is usually the best place to find frogs, but you may also see some on the banks of streams and lakes. The muddy areas and the trunks in the sun are the ideal places to spot frogs. The reeds where the water is stagnant are also excellent places. As soon as you spot a frog, stop moving so as not to alarm it.
- If you hear thuds in the water as you move, know that they are produced by the dives of the frogs you just scared and that you should move more silently. Walk as quietly as possible without touching canes or branches and in general everything around you.
- If you hunt at night, use the light from your flashlight. Point the beam of light at the frog and this, as it happens for a roe deer surprised by the light of the headlights of a car, will remain stationary, making it easier to catch.
Step 4. Get in position
Once you have spotted the frog, position yourself according to the conformation of the terrain. If you are on level ground, place yourself in such a way as to lower the net from above directly on the animal. Make sure there are no irregularities in the ground and that the mouth is snug to the ground so that the frog does not run away.
Step 5. If the frog is in the water, you will need to position yourself so that the net passes under the frog, using the net as a spoon
If you use your hands, you will have to position yourself so as to surprise the frog from behind. Frogs have a very large range of vision but are unable to see behind them. To grab a frog with your bare hands you will necessarily have to make use of the surprise effect and taking yourself behind the animal is in this sense the best way to be successful in capturing
Part 2 of 2: The Capture
Step 1. Capture the frog
The way to catch the frog depends on where the animal is positioned. If it is on the ground, lower the net from above, if it is in the water, pick it up with a quick movement that goes from bottom to top.
Step 2. On the ground:
after trapping the frog, get down and gently place your hand on the frog's back and legs. The hand should be positioned on the hips of the animal so that the hind legs point straight backwards. Now you can lift the beast together with the net, gently squeezing it with your hand.
- In the water: Now that your frog is at the bottom of the net, it is more than likely to try to jump out of it. You can either put it in a bucket or hold it gently by the hips, so that the legs point straight back.
- With your hands: Slowly lower your hand until you are close enough to gently grab the frog by the hips and hind legs. Do not squeeze too much, even if you are excited, as you could seriously injure the animal.
Step 3. Move the frog to the other hand or to a bucket
Gently release the frog from the meshes of the net by transferring it to the other hand or into a bucket. If you move it from one hand to the other, make sure you always take it in the same way, gently squeezing your hips so that the hind legs extend backwards. Let the animal place its front legs on the other hand. Holding the frog like this will prevent it from breaking free and injuring itself.
Step 4. If you put the frog in a bucket, make sure that the latter is high enough so that the frog cannot jump out of it
You should also put some water on the bottom along with some mud and a handful of reeds. In this way you will make the experience more bearable for the frog, which will find itself a little more comfortable at the bottom of the container. If you intend to keep the frog in the bucket for a long time, put a lid (openwork or mesh) in case the frog takes courage and takes a desperate leap to gain freedom.
Step 5. Free the frog
After you are satisfied with admiring it, playing with it or whatever, free the animal by entrusting it to its natural environment. Do it in a gentle way, so as not to injure the animal. Bring it to ground level or to the surface of the water, so that it touches the surface, and then let it go. Do not let it fall from above or it could harm itself. If it remains motionless, don't worry: it could still be shaken by what happened; she will find her way home after recovering.
If you have decided to keep the frog with you, you must have already set up a terrarium at home to raise it
Advice
- Frogs and toads urinate when they are frightened. The urine could stain your clothes.
- Some species of frogs and toads are protected. Capturing specimens may be considered illegal in some areas; inform yourself about it.
- Although they do not cause death, the secretions of many species of toad (including the common one) can cause skin rashes in particularly sensitive individuals. Treat the animal with care and wash your hands after touching it.
