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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Frogs x5 found dead inmy garden. (1 Viewer)

Pam_m

Well-known member
This last week I have found 5 frogs dead in my garden, 2 during the week and this morning 3 on a lawn in separate areas. They have had their head or legs bitten off in all but one frog. I am wondering a cat or hedgehog may be the predator, I do have foxes visit during night time hours.

The fish pond in my garden has never been overrun with frogs, maybe that is a good thing in light of what is happening.
I will this evening and for the next few evenings set a couple of camera traps by the pond and lawn.

Thoughts anyone?
 
I would have expected a Fox to have eaten all of the frog. You say that heads/legs were bitten off but not whether they were eaten or left lying around. a cat probably would just kill + play with them + not bother eating them.

Other than the predators you mention rats, Crows + Magpies may also kill + eat frogs in a garden.
 
A couple of years ago a fox did something very similar in my sister's garden - I only knew because I was trying out a trail camera.
 
i would have thought cats but i have seen jack russell terriers do similar when they came across a frog migration.
 
Thank you all for your replies.


I would have expected a Fox to have eaten all of the frog. You say that heads/legs were bitten off but not whether they were eaten or left lying around. a cat probably would just kill + play with them + not bother eating them.

Other than the predators you mention rats, Crows + Magpies may also kill + eat frogs in a garden.

I had 2 Foxes in my garden last night, visiting separately, caught on camera. I would also have expected a Fox to have eaten all of the frog. The heads and legs were eaten and not left around. I have my doubts with it being a cat.
Magpies and Crows were in my thoughts too, especially so the Magpies. of course I cannot rule out a rat though I have not seen any signs of one, not to say there isn't one of course.

I am going to set the cameras up now. I will update with any news tomorrow.
 
I'm thinking Mustelid here, Mink, Polecat or even Otter. All of them are recorded as exhibiting this kind of behaviour with amphibians, I think because the high densities associated with amphibian mating season blow their minds into overstimulation of the hunting response. I'd have thought with a West Midlands location any of these are possible.

I shall be interested to hear the results of the camera trap sessions.

John
 
I took a Frog out of a mist net last week! Left there by a Tawny Owl - it was whole and just about alive, but later succumbed.
 
Cat or cats,

Crows + Magpies may also kill + eat frogs in a garden.

A couple of years ago a fox did something very similar in my sister's garden.

i have seen jack russell terriers do similar when they came across a frog migration.

I cannot rule out a rat.

I'm thinking Mustelid here, Mink, Polecat or even Otter.

I took a Frog out of a mist net last week! Left there by a Tawny Owl.

I think the accumulated answer is 'don't know' :)
 
I think the accumulated answer is 'don't know' :)

A good observation Jos!|^|;)

The 'mini beast from the east' swept through our region overnight and blanketed my garden with snow hence not a single animal track to be seen!
I have checked the SD cards, snow falling and nothing else in view!
I will persevere throughout the week and update if there is any news.
 

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A couple of suspects caught on camera last night!

I know which one my money's on!
 

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My neighbour has also had a decapitated frog on her lawn, so the suspect 'Tawny Owl' has been doing the rounds by the sound of it!

No way would the green-hatted gnome be responsible, though I must admit that he isn't doing a very good job of protecting the garden!;)
 
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