From pond to land: How froglets take the leap into becoming fully mature
The West Sussex Gazette has teamed up with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to bring you questions and answers about all things nature.
Charlotte Owen, WildCall officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, is on hand to answer your wildlife and conservation queries. As well as answering a variety of wildlife queries, Charlotte is always eager to receive your wildlife sightings in Sussex.
WildCall provides fact sheets ranging from how to make bird cake to beachcombing and can offer advice on environmental and planning issues as well as the best ways to help wildlife such as frogs, birds, bats and bees flourish in your garden.
To talk to Charlotte, call 01273 494777 between 9.30am and 1pm on weekdays, email wildcall@sussexwt.org.uk, write to her at WildCall, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woods Mill, Henfield, BN5 9SD, or visit sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildcall
Tadpoles normally complete their metamorphosis in June, changing into a miniature frog that’s only a centimetre long.
These froglets are extremely vulnerable to predators, from herons and crows to ducks, cats, rats, weasels and grass snakes. They’re also at risk of drying out in the sun or being accidentally squashed, so it’s important to have lots of long lush vegetation around your pond to create plenty of cover and shade. This will help them on their way and also help connect your pond to other areas of the garden.
Froglets need to survive for two years on land before they are fully mature and ready to spawn. This time is spent sheltering in undergrowth, under rocks, in compost heaps and around the roots of trees, where they feed on small beetles, worms, spiders and other invertebrates.
Only a small number of froglets will