How can we best save these guys?

[ann wallingford]

Hi--I hope someone can advise me. My daughter and her friend saved many tadpoles from our pool. We put them in a large tank and planned to get them well situated and then things started happening and they did not get the attention they needed. We had plans to put them in a swampy area and then that was dried up. We worried about putting them in the river because of their being swept away and we thought about neighbors pond but knew they would be eaten. Many have survived and some have tiny back legs. But it is getting cooler here in VA and I worry about them. I put some in more shallow containers more in the sun in a garden cold frame so could cover a bit at night. I can add warm water and continue to feed, have used lettuce and now have other ideas from your forum. But would they be better off in the river or pond at this point? We would enjoy seeing them make it but want most of all to do the best we can for them. Also, would it be good to send them south with someone who is traveling there who could put them in a pond in this warmer climate. Really would appreciate anyone's thoughts. Thank you--Ann

[Greenlove]

I think it would be better to put them in the large pond at this point, unless your willing to take care of them for the rest of their lives. It is a lot of work and expensive raising froglets and you have to read for hours on how to care of them . Please do what's best for them. The weather is changing and it would give them time to acclimate to their surroundings. Thank you for rescuing them from the pool! The chemicals in a pool can be deadly for frogs. Good luck.

[bshmerlie]

I agree I would put them in the large pond. Yes many may be eaten but that is a part of the cycle of life. Out of hundreds of tadpoles only a few will make it to froghood and that is vital to the food chain. Perhaps you and your daughter could keep one and raise it up. Whatever you do, don't relocate frogs from one locale to another that is how non native animals get moved to environments and then threaten native populations. Also diseases are then spread from one locale to another.