HELLO THERE,

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE BOUGHT ABOUT ONE DOZEN OR SO OF YOUR BULL FROG TADPOLES. MOST OF THEM GREW INTO FROGS IN THE SUMMER AND BY FALL WE HAD A VERY NICE POND WITH VERY FEW BUGS BOTHERING US. WE LEFT THE FROGS ON THEIR OWN TO WINTER OVER BUT WE FOUND THAT MOST OF THEM WERE DEAD IN THE SPRING BECAUSE THEY TRIED TO HIBERNATE IN THE ROCKS AROUND THE EDGES INSTEAD OF GOING IN THE MUCK ON THE BOTTOM.

THE FEW THAT SURVIVED ARE HUGE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE THEY MAKE IT THROUGH THIS WINTER. WE HAVE AN AQUARIUM AND HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT BRINGING THEM INSIDE UNTIL THE SPRING BUT WE'RE NOT SURE HOW OR WHAT TO FEED THEM.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

THANKS IN ADVANCE,

DON...

Answer:

Don,

If the pond is less than 30 inches deep then the pond will freeze solid and needs a heater for the winter. If it is 30 inches deep or deeper you can use a bubbler for the winter. I usually put a tray of sand in the bottom of the pond for them to mud into for the big chill.

I also remove the organic matter from the bottom of the pond so it doesn't decompose and foul the water with ammonia and nitrites. That alone is enough to do them in.

If you want to bring them indoors I would recommend a lid on the aquarium, a place for them to get in and out of the water, filtration to keep the ammonia and nitrites down, and feed them bugs. The crickets (bugs) are available at your local pet store.

Thanks and I hope that this was helpful

Scott Bates

Grass Roots Nursery.

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