Hello everyone -- welcome to Melbourne Zoo’s Frog Blog!

My name is Raelene and I’m lucky enough to be working at Melbourne Zoo.  I’ve been here for four years, working in the Herpetofauna Department, specialising in frogs.

The world’s zoos are working hard to spread the word that frogs are in danger around the world, and that includes right here in our own backyards. Frogs are disappearing so fast that we need to do something now, or they might be gone forever!  I cannot imagine a world without frogs- Can you?

But the good news is that there are things we can do to help! YES, YOU TOO!!!!

November 2009

There is no denying now, summer is definitely here and it's having an effect on the amphibians. There is a lot more spraying down of enclosures when it gets warm. This helps reduce the high temperatures and adds to the humidity of the off limits areas.

The Splash Back Poison Frogs are slowly coming out of hiding and are beginning to get used to the new exhibit. Frogs like these are quite timid and often take some time getting used to a new environment.

Guess what!
We have 2 new Southern Corroboree Frog metamorphs! They are currently very small (around 9.95mm) and are eating day old hatchling crickets. They both have bright black and yellow stripes. When they start to get a little bigger, I will take some photos and put them on one of the up and coming frog blogs.

Fingers crossed these guys do well, as we have had problems raising them in the past. There is still another 13 tadpoles to metamorphose out. About 5 of these currently have their back legs and the rest are still happy being tadpoles. Hopefully the tadpoles are eating lots, so that they are big and strong when they metamorphose into froglets.

Still on the Southern Corroboree Frog, we have just put all the adults into the fridge again for the breeding season. The season starts in December and goes through to around April.

We've recently secured funding to renovate an old storeroom next to the World of Frogs. This room will be fitted out as a climate controlled facility, specialising in alpine species of amphibians. When you come to visit our amazing zoo next, take note of a large board on the left as you enter the World of Frogs. This panel has a window and after construction is complete, you'll be able to see into the Endangered Amphibian Complex.

Frog tip for the month:
Try and use phosphate-free laundry liquid and washing detergent. Phosphate-free means that it will not harm the frogs when the water goes down the drain.

Take care frog lovers!

Raelene

Don't forget....

'It seems to me that if you wait until the frogs and toads
have croaked their last to take some action,
you've missed the point.'
Kermit the Frog