Habitat - Outdoor :: Frogs & Turtles in a pond?

[callmepotato83]

I live in South Texas and have a decent amount of wildlife in the area. I am in the process of building a pond and have discovered a couple of frogs like to take a swim in it. Is this anything I should worry about? The turtle going into the pond is a 6 year old female, approximately 9 inches in shell length, captive born & kept in an aquarium all her life. She's extremely friendly and gets along with all our animals (to the point where she isn't afraid to walk up to the dog and touch nose to nose!) I know very little about frogs (except that these are extremely loud and make noise all night). Do they pose any threat to her, or her to them?

Here's a picture of the pond, so you can see my setup. We put the gazebo up because the sun was raising the pond temp past 90, and there will be a open-mesh fence around the edge as soon as I recover from my illness.

[jozzep]

Bullfrogs are a danger for hatchlings, but i don't thing a 6 year old RES has anything to worry about.
Nice little pond by the way.You might want to move the tent over just a bit so the turtle has some basking time.

[callmepotato83]

Thanks for the info! Yeah, none of the frogs are even close to being as big as she is. I took three down to the canal tonight but more seem to keep coming! I know they are a danger to dogs due to the poison they secrete...wasn't sure if my RES had anything to worry about. The gazebo is temporary until I can build something else, but it actually gets plenty of sunlight after 5PM and before 10AM. This is DEEP south Texas, so there is more than enough sunlight/UV for her in those hours.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Are you getting Frogs are Toads? Frogs dont produce poison. Only toads do.

[callmepotato83]

It might actually be toads; truth be told, I don't really know much about either, so I am not sure. They are relatively small (maybe 2-3 inches tall, no more than 4 or 5 inches with their legs spread out) and good swimmers. They don't seem scared of me at all, and I have actually managed to catch several of them with nets very easily so I can move them to the nearby canal they most likely came from. I can take a picture next time and post it here.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Yea pic will help me id them

[jozzep]

IMO....If they got there once, they will get there again.
Maybe fence the pond so the frogs can't get in??
I don't think they are a threat

[theartbook35]

Aquatic turtles eat frogs.

[callmepotato83]

I am probably an overly-concerned turtle parent. I pulled 3 more out last night!


I will be putting some fencing in, but it might be open enough for the smaller ones to get through...hmmm

[scottpkura]

Toad

[Terryo]

I have lots of frog...and toads in and about my pond. The frogs lay eggs, and my turtle would eat the tadpoles (if he didn't finish the eggs first) and or small frogs. Some make it and turn into bull frogs. I have never had a problem with any of this. The local ponds around here have both turtles..and frogs. I wouldn't worry about it.

[theartbook35]

I have lots of frog...and toads in and about my pond. The frogs lay eggs, and my turtle would eat the tadpoles (if he didn't finish the eggs first) and or small frogs. Some make it and turn into bull frogs. I have never had a problem with any of this. The local ponds around here have both turtles..and frogs. I wouldn't worry about it.

Hey, aquatic turtles eat frogs naturally, so, if you want them to be food, it works out great. Heck, it even makes your own special little ecosystem.

The toads I'd be a little worried about. Does a captive turtle know the difference?