COLOURFUL FROGS OF SCOTTISH DESCENT

In the early 1960s, to augment a meagre frog population in our then new pond, we obtained five very red animals from the crimson sphagnum bogs of Wester Ross, Scotland and although occasionally sighting one, we saw little activity because over the coming decades most spawn was churlishly laid in the neighbours, sunnier, warmer fishpond where few tadpoles survived to develop four legs.

Some years ago that pond was filled in, and the frogs returned to us! Spawn lump counts progressed annually thus: 5-8-13-18-26-43-101, the increase reflecting, I think, the success of a newt-free container. This is a sixty gallon roof tank with slightly outward sloping sides, partially sunken into the ground. Over the sides are slung a couple of plastic mesh shallow baskets in which are placed stones, watercress and small sedges to give the preferred depth conditions for spawning and allowing an easy exit for the froglets later. Canadian pondweed, hornwort and a small water lily are in the deeper parts. There is a a mesh-covered overflow outlet and a half-inch pipe from the garage gutter giving fresh rainwater supplements.

Colourful females comprise up to 20% of their total, ranging in hues from pale pink to orange to copper to tan. There seem to be fewer colourful males and those are duller anyway, any hues showing more on their undersides and legs.

About eight (producing what seems to be the optimum number of tadpoles that the tank will allow to flourish) of the most pretty females - although some have ordinary spouses - are invited to lay in this palace. When about half grown the tadpoles' natural food is augmented with bits of "Scmackos" dog treats! Colour variations are not apparent immediately on leaving the water - these can be seen more easily in one-inch sized youngsters the following year.

Thus it is hoped to maintain and build up the aesthetic Scottish content of the hopping population here. The Constabulary helicopter has been known to provoke a furious response from the males but my ear is not sufficiently tuned to ascertain whether any of these croakings is in Gaelic!.

Anne Beaufoy,
Ipswich

Michael Kirby also has coloured frogs in his garden at Westleton (TM444694), where both orange and yellow forms have been observed. The orange form is illustrated on p. 41. Michael has two ponds. The frogs, however, were seen in long grass.

A colourful frog, ' translucent yellow with dull, almost glowing pink eyes' was the subject of a natural history enquiry at Ipswich Museum in 1989. It was discovered in a pit about 18 inches deep beneath a standpipe cover in the Wolsey Garden, Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich in October 1989 (Mendel, 1990).

Coloured frogs result from partial albinisim. References to their occurence can be found in:
Mendel, H. (1990). Albino Common Frog, Rana temporaria L. in Ipswich. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc, 26 : 6-7.

'Red Leg' a ranavirus disease of the common frog that manifests itself in sores that erupt along the animals' legs and torso often leads to loss of feet or limbs and almost always results in death. The Froglife Trust is anxious to receive reports of dead or dying frogs. It is particularly interested in mass deaths of frogs during the summer. Symptoms of the disease include reddened limbs and body, emaciation, lethargy, skin discoloration, blemishes and spots, sores and ulcerations.
The Trust can be contacted at:

Mansion House, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8AY.
Tel: 01986 873733.
More information can be found at www.froglife.org

Editor

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