This is Dwid, our frog. We raised him from a tadpole last summer. For some reason he decided he liked our pond and found a place to hibernate last winter, so he is with us again this summer. We decided to give him a some companionship besides our cats who like to stalk him in the grasses around the pond, so we have 3 more tadpoles coming of age. One of the best things is to look out our front window and see him sitting on the giant lily pads. It is the little things in life that keep us all sane and happy, eh? Dwid is one of ours.
42 Comments
July 2, 2008 at 10:41 am
RIBBIT!
July 2, 2008 at 11:10 am
Dwid! What an interesting name! Is he the only frog around? Does he croak at night?
I used to live somewhere where there were LOTS of frogs at night. I loved listening to them as I went to sleep.
July 2, 2008 at 11:29 am
nwmuse,
Hope they weren’t those
“Bud” “Wies” “Er” frogs.
July 2, 2008 at 11:32 am
This reminds me of the ‘car song’ we used to sing on long trips.
There were 6 of us. It was get us to sing songs or go crazy.
Did anyone else sing that song, “10 Green Jumping Frogs”?
just wondering….
July 2, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I have never heard him croak. And that is most unfortunate. Maybe if he has some company, he will start. Dwid- he got named after an online friend of ours. Name is not original. =)
July 2, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I don’t know but would guess that there is an organization which organizes amphibian migration assistance in the Spring in your area. If you have never tuned in to this seasonal spectacle, you should look into it.
July 2, 2008 at 12:52 pm
How can we be sure he’s not a prince? Has anybody here kissed him?
July 2, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Migration?
July 2, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Shayne, I don’t want to traumatize him. ;p
July 2, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Does your pond make tons of noise in the Spring?
July 2, 2008 at 1:06 pm
It is not that big. Only about 300 gallons. Enough for some plants, some mosquito eater fish and a frog or two. If I heard any frog I would know. =) All’s quiet around here so far.
July 2, 2008 at 1:13 pm
If you found this former tadpole in your pond than its parents did the nasty there which means assuming they haven’t been smashed by cars they will again. I am betting there are larger water bodies fairly nearby
July 2, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Not quite, we “adopted” him from the store. As far as I know, he has no next of kin nearby. I really don’t even know if he is native to the area. He is pretty big and the ones that wander up by my mom’s lake are pretty small. We “adopted” 3 more tadpoles to keep him company and perhaps encourage him to sing. =)
July 2, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Maybe Dwid is not a he, but a she. Only hes ribbit. We have a Green Tree frog on our back deck (spends nights in one of the lights and gobbles down insects) that emits sounds akin to a dog’s bark – and loud! Not being original, GD christened him ‘Greeny’. He is about as large at the tip joint of my pinkie finger.
July 2, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Thanks Walt! Maybe she will get some handsome young man to serenade her in a month or so. =)
July 2, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Those tadpoles may be of a different species or even salamanders, newts or toads. Or, is Dwid a toad? Frogs have a smooth wet skin while toad’s are rough. The class Amphibia is as diverse as can be as it preceded Mammalia by about 200 million years.
July 2, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I am jumping out of this but please be sure not to be introducing exotic species into your ponds or any other ecosystems you may fancy…
July 2, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Well, we got the tadpoles at the same place we got them last year and they look the same. I think he is a frog, skin is pretty smooth. I realize I know nothing about him, but I sure do like him. It would be nice to know what kind he was, though.
July 2, 2008 at 2:48 pm
db,
Amphibians are not exotic species unless you allude to the species introduced into Australia, the Cane Toads. Most pet shops go to a local stream or pond and harvest the eggs which are free for the taking. In March, I had about three species in the wet land behind me based on egg size.
July 2, 2008 at 2:59 pm
WaltThe Man:
We are talking about moving species from place to place not from arbritary national/state boundaries. This is exactly why all states have laws about aquaria disposal as an example. Most pet shops do not in fact do what you suggest which is exactly why you can’t walk in and buy let’s say a fowler’s toad right down my road. State and federal law prevents that sort of shit. When was the last time you saw a wild boar or native brook trout on sale in this pet shop?
July 2, 2008 at 3:07 pm
db,
You are in the dark as to how business works. They do not harvest adults. As for the wild boars, check with Dick Cheney. He’s shot more of those then he has lawyers.
July 2, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Love the name Dwid,Bluedahlia. My parents have a pretty big pond in the woods. But Dwid looks so much bigger than the little guys we would have hopping all over the back yard every year. Let me know how Dwid likes his new companions once they get old enough to play?
July 2, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Well, dbadass, I didn’t know I was being neglectful/ignorant/destructive of the environment when I thoughtlessly purchased my tadpole. Sorry this “shit” happened. I will refrain from posting things about my little ignorant life that makes my family happy. Who knows who I will piss off next?!
Just so you don’t stew about it, I purchased from a locally owned and operated pet/garden store known in my city to be environmentally friendly (makes their own line of organic lawn products) and is socially conscious. If it is “exotic” it certainly wasn’t labeled that way or something I need to have. It was a frog for my pond, jeezus! I can’t even post here anymore without someone jumping my shit about my lifestyle or opinions. WTF happened to you people? Are you always this judgmental?
July 2, 2008 at 3:16 pm
BD,
Don’t let db get to ya. Life is precious as long as you treasure it. My criticisms were only about the risks you take when you purchase an animal in its larval state – you never know what you will end up with.
July 2, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Bluedahlia:
I think you have misread me. I thought you were talking of a wild caught specimen. So long as your dude stays in the house it is not a big thing. I am a biologist and I was trying to learn about your local ecosystem. I regret any miscue
WaltTheMan:
I don’t have a clue what you are talking about but can assure you I am no fool on the topic on indigenous wildlife and systems
July 2, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Walt, I didn’t hear a criticism in anything you said. I heard information/knowledge. Thanks for the difference.
July 2, 2008 at 3:20 pm
So as to solve this little problem can we agree that the individual in question is either an American Bullfrog or green frog?
July 2, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Whereas the image presented lacks the dorsolateral ridges I would expect in the green frog, I am assume bullfrog. That would also explain the overwintering as a tadpole. The two can be easlily confused.
July 2, 2008 at 3:31 pm
db,
A tadpole can mature to a salamander (slimy skinned and slim), a frog (slimy skinned and plump), a toad (rough skinned and plump), a newt (like a salamander, but gilled) or an (red) eft (smooth skinned, but dry, almost reptilian).
July 2, 2008 at 3:32 pm
WaltTheMan:
I am not sure where you are coming from but you need to know that I have way more than a tenth grade understanding of phylogeny and herpetology
July 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm
If they are, they are not in their native habitat. And yes, they are outside. I guess I will be making a journey to the store to find out.
July 2, 2008 at 3:34 pm
He overwintered as a frog, not a tadpole. We got him last summer. He turned into a frog. He stayed the winter. Outside.
July 2, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Bluedahlia:
Does your little buddy look like the picture? I really am sorry if you misunderstood me. Depending on your state you can or can not do all sorts of things relative to species introduction and or eradication. Again I just wanted to know what species Dwid was. I myself an a herp watcher and counter for a local group during Spring migration. Again I regret any misunderstanding
July 2, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I need to go to class. Thanks so much for the fun thread, guys. Glad I could cheer up this fun summer afternoon.
July 2, 2008 at 3:45 pm
db,
The first four footed creatures that settled on land were amphibians. Some aquadic fishes could cross swamps before then, but were never really mobile. Amphibians were the first creatures on Earth to develop lungs. Reptiles followed by about 80 – 120 million years. Isn’t herpetology the study of reptiles?
July 2, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Herpetology sort of lumps both groups into one field. Well atleast in a more old school sort of way. I assume you are just trying to bring other readers up to speed on the “two lifes” nature and evolutionary history of these species. One of the things I find magical about the amphibian reptile leap is the evolution of a hardened egg, the reduction in clutch size and the dramatic increase in parenting. These is most drastcally seen in the crocs and alligators but I am sure you are already aware of this
July 2, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Oh geez. How did I neglect internal fertilization? and is ought to be are
July 2, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Well like many amphibians, I work in the dark so I best get going. WaltTheMan I trust will hold down the fort with regard to all of your ecology and business needs.
July 2, 2008 at 4:11 pm
db,
I did not know that the two classes had been merged into one. Since Pisces and Reptiles are linked by a common bond of scales/feathers it seems that Reptiles and Amphibians are two separate lines from the same base(Pisces). In addition no warm blooded species have evolved from Amphibians while the classes Avis and Mammalia seem to have evolved from reptiles.
July 2, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Taxonomy/Systematics/Cladistics are all in transition. Much still needs to be teased out. It isn’t really my deal as I do mostly field behavioral work
July 2, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Soory ’bout that. An early return hit. As to herpetology I think you will find that most definitions of the term link the two groups despite their significant differences
July 2, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’ve been doing science since I was six. Still have a scar from my experiment in making nitro.