Wildlife Viewing - In Your Own Backyard

In Your Backyard

Home for a Frog

Fifteen species of treefrogs occur in Florida. Small and slender-legged, they mostly live in trees, aided in climbing by suction pads on the bottoms of their toes. They rest in tree cracks and hollows out of the drying sun.

However, they will adapt to artificial houses. Try sticking a 3-foot-long, 1.5-inch PVC pipe in the ground in a shady place. Treefrogs in search of a cool resting place will climb the pipe and crawl over the rim, then hold on to the inside surface with their adhesive toes.

In order to attract all kinds of frogs and amphibians to your garden, remember to leave native plant cover for them. Plants different varieties of native trees, since treefrogs prefer different species. Leave pieces of dead trees lying around - certain toads eat termites. You may also want to create a small pond, since frogs, salamanders and insects use ponds for early stages of life. Even a 3-foot diameter pond will attract wildlife, but build up one side so birds can bathe in shallow water and so turtles can climb out. Surround your pond with rock piles that will be used for sunning and hiding.