I had a small 50 gal backyard pond. There were five bullfrogs in the pond, but they had left. I bought a new 100 gallon liner and began to clean out the old one, and I discovered a HUGE tadpole in the bottom of the pond in the muck. He must be 7 or 8 inches long, and I assume he's a bullfrog. He has tiny hind legs, but no front legs, and he's not coming up for air, so he's not morphing all the way yet.

The problem is, he seems very lethargic, right from the get-go. When I took him out of the muck, he just laid in my hand and didn'g struggle. I put the new 100 gallon pond in and transferred him into it. I can reach in and pick him up, and he lays there limp. Is that normal? He does appear to be eating; I bought some algae at the pet store for him, and he does occasionally eat, but he just sits around on the bottom, totally listless. I'm in north Florida, and it's cold here, anywhere from 40's to occasionally below freezing at night.

Would this guy be better off if I put him in a bucket and brought him inside where it's warmer, or should he stay in the pond? And should I provide anything for him to keep him warm; he was in a couple inches of muck in the old pond, but of course the new one's clean and there's nothing for him to snuggle into.

Also, I have some general frog questions, if anyone knows the answers to any, I'd sure appreciate it:

1) How do frogs sense water? Can they hear it? I created a small waterfall in the new pond, hoping it would entice them, but not sure how they determine where water is.

2) Do frogs have a sense of direction? I guess what I'm asking is, the frogs that left my pond, can they find their way back there?

3) Anyone know how to discourage snakes from coming round the pond? I use Snakeaway, but frankly a little worried that that product could harm the frogs if they hop thru it. I've placed it in a large arc around their pond, outside where they usually ranged, but still wonder if anyone has any better idea how to discourage them from coming round.

Again, appreciate any tips anyone has for attracting frogs to the yard. I love them; such cute faces!

J.W.

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