Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, i'm overhauling our garden and planting a few small junipers and yuccas. I'd love to have some frogs or toads help out with the bug problem. I'd like to know if theres a specific critter that might be prone to staying put and not running off. I was going to bury some pvc for burrows and we have a water supply already. Can you recommend something hardy that might stick around outside and help out?
Soil conditions are sandy. Located in N Texas near denton.
I was hoping for spade foot toads or tree frogs....

For legal and ethical reasons you will have to stick with what is locally indigenous. Try and find out what species are found in other gardens within your neighborhood. If the animals have proper food, security, and year round habitat they should stay. Amphibians may be a poor choice unless you have a species of toad common in the urban yards in Denton. A local species of lizard might be easier to establish in your garden. The trick will be balancing habitat needs with maintenance. I grew up in S Calif and we always had Western Fence Lizards, S Alligator Lizards, Western Toads, Slender Salamanders, and an occasional Opossum living in our suburban yard. It was always nice to have some wildlife around.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps

Thanks Randy, i was hoping to find some spadefoot toads. They are indiginous to the area but are harder to find since they dont seem to be common in urban areas. I noticed last night that there are bugs everywhere outside esp. by the patio light. I need to get some gecko's as well to help with the bugs. Thats the problem with new homes I guess. all the older developments i've lived in DFW all had house geckos outside.

The House Geckos are an introduced species found in several urban areas. If they are not already established in your area there may be laws against releasing them in your yard. If I remember my Spadefoots correctly they are active for only a short period each year and may not provide the insect control you want. Another problem is the bugs around your porch light are either flying or arboreal and may not interact much with a terrestrial species of amphibian. Most other lizards will be diurnal and not a major predator for nocturnal insects but I still think they are your best bet.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps

Well i was out last night and noticed 2 small house gecko's on the wall. Since I bought a new house in a new development I didnt think they would move in so fast. Do you think a banded gecko would stick around? I was planning on putting some burrows in the garden using pvc pipe sections. I'm tempted to put in a retaining wall to keep them in but i'm not sure they wouldnt just climb it.

I am not sure if they would stick around or not. Banded Geckos are very terrestrial and I would expect them to stay in a general area as long as they have proper security, habitat, and food supply. The only time I ever see them migrating is during breeding season. They might leave to look for mates. You can probably find them this time of year by night driving appropriate habitats. I do not remember off hand what your states laws are concerning collecting them. A combination of Geckos and a diurnal species such as a small Sceloporus might be the ticket. Large Spiny Lizards may be overly aggressive and either eat or drive off smaller lizards. You have either the Eastern Fence or the Prairie Lizard in your area which might be a good choice if they are found within your town’s habitat. I am not sure of your area and I am only going off of the maps in Conant’s Field Guide. If you have some vacant fields nearby I would look there. Maybe teach some neighborhood kids how to noose them. If House Geckos are already moving in I would encourage them as well. I need to move to a larger house within the next year or two and I hope to establish some local species in my yard as well. I also want to build an outdoor enclosure for Desert Iguanas and/or Chuckwallas.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps