# Frogs in my backyard "pond". How did they get there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 18, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333 "2017-06-18T23:34:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/1 "2017-06-18T23:34:55Z")
So I have a tiny little pond (it’s more like a gigantic puddle tho) in my backyard garden area. I have lived here for 10 years and until recently never saw any frogs in the pond. However, this year frogs have somehow managed to appear in it. My question is, how did they originally get there? I know the phenomenon of fish populating a land-locked artificial body of water is explained by birds or even just wind dropping the tadpoles into the water. But how do frogs get there? And into such a small body of water? It seems unlikely that a bird would accidentally drop something that just happened to fall in such a small space, especially considering the fact that the pond has bushes and small trees overhanging it. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/2 "2017-06-18T23:38:03Z")
hoped through the woods, found pond, deposited eggs, or if this is the initial invasion simply ends at found pond. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/3 "2017-06-18T23:51:36Z")
Frogs hatch from eggs, too. If fish can hitchhike on birds, so can frogs. Also, frogs (and toads) can travel away from their birth ponds, as long as they have a place to huddle in and stay moist. I live hundreds of feet from a pond, and sometimes find little toadlings that could sit on a dime that must have hopped from there to here–which seems like a big journey for something that tiny. Adults should be able to cover miles. (Tomorrow I could upload a couple of photos of the toadlings, if anyone cares to see them.) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/4 "2017-06-18T23:55:15Z")
Thanks guys. I didn’t realize frogs could survive non-aquatic environments. This seems like the likely answer, not birds dropping frog eggs into the pond. That’s a very specific bullsmark that seems unlikely to be hit by chance. Unless it’s the eggs being dropped in the vicinity and they travel to the water. That combines both answers. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/5 "2017-06-19T01:31:50Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > (Tomorrow I could upload a couple of photos of the toadlings, if anyone cares to see them.) We have toads and toadettes visiting our back stoops to snack on bugs attracted to the outdoor lights. Photos of your toadlings would be welcomed. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/6 "2017-06-19T01:39:43Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I live hundreds of feet from a pond, and sometimes find little toadlings that could sit on a dime that must have hopped from there to here–which seems like a big journey for something that tiny. Adults should be able to cover miles. Toadlings are baby toads. They don’t require water. Or are you using the term “toadling” generally to refer to both baby frogs and toads? ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/7 "2017-06-19T01:50:46Z")
Life will, uh…find a way… ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/8 "2017-06-19T01:58:31Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > Life will, uh…find a way… Ahhh yes, this is the answer I was seeking. Thank you, my curiosity is sated. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/9 "2017-06-19T01:59:27Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Thanks guys. I didn’t realize frogs could survive non-aquatic environments. This seems like the likely answer, not birds dropping frog eggs into the pond. That’s a very specific bullsmark that seems unlikely to be hit by chance. Unless it’s the eggs being dropped in the vicinity and they travel to the water. That combines both answers. It isn’t a matter of carrying eggs in their mouths then dropping like a bomber–it is a bird landing in one pond, eggs stick to it, bird flies away, lands in another pond, egg washes off. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/10 "2017-06-19T02:03:55Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Thanks guys. I didn’t realize frogs could survive non-aquatic environments. This seems like the likely answer, not birds dropping frog eggs into the pond. That’s a very specific bullsmark that seems unlikely to be hit by chance. Unless it’s the eggs being dropped in the vicinity and they travel to the water. That combines both answers. The eggs will need to be in water to hatch, the tadpole doesn’t start off with legs… they slowly grow from baby fish to 4 legged frog, losing the tail. But yeah no frogs in the desert, but they will concide mating period with wet season so they can get out and about for best survival of their genes. Some species only go into water to lay eggs, and otherwise live in a damp environment such as in dense trees , like semi-rainforest or wetter. Snd some need to stay really really wet in water (poor lungs), but they will jump puddles when its raining. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/11 "2017-06-19T02:06:29Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > Life will, uh…find a way… Thank you very much Dr Malcolm, now if you are busy playing with our Rex… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/12 "2017-06-19T02:15:17Z")
There are frogs in the desert (just google it.) Also, as I’m typing this, I’m sitting in my yard, surrounded by the sounds of at least 1 species of frogs that live in trees–Hyla versicolor. (There are at least 2 other species I’m hearing, but not sure if they are in trees or on the ground. And sometimes I hear spring peepers and bullfrogs in that pond, so at least 5 species of frogs and/or toads nearby.) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/13 "2017-06-19T11:01:13Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Thanks guys. I didn’t realize frogs could survive non-aquatic environments. This seems like the likely answer, not birds dropping frog eggs into the pond. That’s a very specific bullsmark that seems unlikely to be hit by chance. Unless it’s the eggs being dropped in the vicinity and they travel to the water. That combines both answers. Frogs travel quite long distances over land - often moving at night and/or during wet weather, and then hiding out in damp, shady places during the heat of the day. They’re called amphibians for a reason… (no snark intended) ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/14 "2017-06-19T11:06:04Z")
There are lots of frogs (well, toads, at least) in the desert. They will bury themselves and hibernate, sometimes for years, waiting for a rainstorm that produces ponds big enough for them to lay eggs. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/15 "2017-06-19T11:20:13Z")
So, the mentioned photos. The nearest pond is around 500 to 750 feet away, yet [these little guys](http://imgur.com/a/63GLW) showed up in my yard–which has to have been quite a [del]walk[/del] hop for them. (I think that they are the young of [this](http://imgur.com/a/8ka8s) species.) As I mentioned, I also have [lots](http://imgur.com/a/6JztM) of [tree frogs](http://imgur.com/a/0R1PJ). Also [other](http://imgur.com/a/OqXrF) [species](http://imgur.com/a/Nen7I) sometimes show up. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/16 "2017-06-19T11:50:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > There are frogs in the desert (just google it.) Underground frogs, per America. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/17 "2017-06-19T11:54:44Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > There are frogs in the desert Oh yes. [The best frogs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krxpEVJHy2o). ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/18 "2017-06-19T17:35:14Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > So, the mentioned photos. The nearest pond is around 500 to 750 feet away, yet [these little guys](http://imgur.com/a/63GLW) showed up in my yard–which has to have been quite a [del]walk[/del] hop for them. (I think that they are the young of [this](http://imgur.com/a/8ka8s) species.) As I mentioned, I also have [lots](http://imgur.com/a/6JztM) of [tree frogs](http://imgur.com/a/0R1PJ). Also [other](http://imgur.com/a/OqXrF) [species](http://imgur.com/a/Nen7I) sometimes show up. Love the pictures - thanks for posting them! Frogs are one of my very favourite animals and those babies are adorable. The tree frog is amazing how it just blends in almost seamlessly! ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/19 "2017-06-19T22:39:58Z")
I’ve got a small pond in my yard too. I have only placed fish in it, but it also has a number of frogs around during summer. I found one of them hibernating in the fold of some black plastic I’m using to suppress weeds in a garden bed a few metres away from the pond. This is now mid-winter so things have slowed down a lot and I guess come spring they’ll be back in full swing and the frogs will reappear from their winter hidey-holes. Although it is possible the frogs came from eggs washed off birds’ legs, I have also noted finding frogs sizeable distances from standing water, travelling from place to place. My neighbour found one in her garden and returned it to mine, thinking it had got lost. Most likely it was moving out of its tadpole home to find a mate and a new place to stay. if the conditions are right, small ponds can be quite full of life. I originally only had three fish. After a few years, the count was up to around 30. This is in a pond of about 3-4 square metres with perhaps 2500 litres of water. The number seems to have stabilised at the moment, so I guess it’s self-limiting. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333/20 "2017-06-19T22:45:50Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > Life will, uh…find a way… Post on a message board … flag on the Moon … frog in a pond … how did they get there? … a MiSTie finds a thread … a post becomes a riff … the wheels of progress go round and round … round and round … (Hey, you think of _Jurassic Park_, I think of _The Beast of Yucca Flats_.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frogs-in-my-backyard-pond-how-did-they-get-there/789333.md?page=2)