Toad Patrol

Frogs, Toads, Newts
Summary
<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Frogs - Frogs, Toads, Newts | Susan Shimeld
Purpose/Mission: 
I have been rescuing toads, frogs, and newts: 'on and off', for the past 40+ years. Finally, in February 2020, I registered as a Toad Patroller and also registered for prosterity our two local ponds. One pond is in the centre of a village, the other a mile outside the village. Both sites are now classed as important and protected sites. Frogs, toads and newts appear from the surrounding meadows, fields, and woodland, and follow the ancient route of their ancestors between the two ponds. They all are on a mission: to get to their chosen pond in order to mate, before heading back to the meadows, a few weeks later. Sadly, the ancient route between the two ponds is now a main road running through the village and many frogs, toads and newts are killed en route. By registering as a Toad Patroller for these ponds, I am now supporting Froglife. Along with all other Toad Patrollers in the UK, I collate the information and numbers of rescued and dead amphibians and reptiles each year and send the figures to Froglife so they can record the status of toad, frog and newt populations across the country. Froglife’s work to conserve amphibians and reptiles in the UK is crucial. Their work fits into a global need to protect animals like frogs, toads, newts snakes and lizards, and we all aim to make sure that the species we have in the UK are able to flourish and will continue to do so for future generations. Both amphibians and reptiles are suffering from global declines, meaning that many animals are threatened with extinction. In the UK, the picture is not quite as bleak – yet – and we want to keep it that way.
Thursday, 19 January, 2023

Froglife’s work to conserve amphibians and reptiles in the UK is crucial. Our work fits into a global need to protect animals like frogs, toads, newts snakes and lizards, and we aim to make sure that the species we have in the UK are able to flourish and will continue to do so for future generations.

Background: 

Both amphibians and reptiles are suffering from global declines, meaning that many animals are threatened with extinction. In the UK, the picture is not quite as bleak – yet – and we want to keep it that way. Animals like frogs, newts, toads, lizards and snakes face a number of threats, including:

Loss of habitat – we are building and developing areas where the animals live, and breaking up their habitat with roads Pollution – particularly for amphibians who are very sensitive to changes in water quality, chemicals can be a big problem

Disease – there are a couple of really worrying diseases affecting amphibians, you can find out more here Exploitation – with some amphibians and reptiles across the world used for food and other products, there is a concern that trades are not sustainable and can affect wild populations

Persecution – humans have a tendency to eliminate wild animals if they are perceived as pests or a threat to people, particularly snakes. This can also be a problem for non-venomous species, which can be confused for their more dangerous relatives.

Climate change – changes in seasonal temperature and rainfall may affect amphibians and reptiles in different ways: an increase in warm and wet winters may reduce the body condition of amphibians resulting in poorer breeding the following year; drier periods in spring and summer may result in ponds drying more quickly, preventing larvae from metamorphosing; warmer autumn temperatures may lead to range expansions of our reptile species in Scotland.

Froglife is committed to helping wild amphibians and reptiles thrive, and all of our work feeds into this aim.