Buzz
Frogs are intriguing amphibians, and catching them can be a really fun activity! It's surprisingly easy to catch a frog, whether you're looking to keep it as a pet or study it. You can trap them using a bucket or catch them with a net.
Steps
Frog Trapping
Find an area close to water to set the trap. Choose a spot where frogs often gather to set your trap and catch one. Frogs love water, so areas near ponds, lakes, or rivers are ideal places to find them.
- Frogs primarily live on land but frequently visit damp, shaded areas and shallow water regions.
Use a hammer and nails to make 3-4 holes at the bottom of two medium-sized buckets. You wouldn't want your bucket filled with water and frogs inside, so use a hammer and nails to create a few holes at the bottom. Be careful not to crack the bucket's bottom.
- Small frogs might be able to squeeze through the holes or gaps and escape.
Cut a wide enough gap to fit a plywood sheet on top of both buckets. You will attach a 2.4m long, 1.2m wide, and 1.3m thick plywood sheet into the gap. Use scissors or pliers to cut a 10 cm deep slit at the bucket's top. Ensure the slit is wide enough to match the plywood's thickness.
Tip: Check if the gap is wide enough by testing the plywood in it. Each bucket should have a gap to fit the plywood properly.
Dig a hole wide enough to place a bucket in. Once you find a suitable spot for the trap, dig a hole with depth and width that matches the bucket's size. Place the bucket in the hole, ensuring its opening is level with the ground.
- If you're too close to water and can't dig a hole deep enough without flooding, move the trap a bit farther from the water's edge.
Fill in the area around the bucket with soil. Use the freshly dug soil to fill in any gaps around the bucket, making sure there's no empty space and the bucket is secured in the ground.
- Shake the bucket to check if it's firm.
Dig a trench about 10 cm deep and as wide as the plywood sheet. The trench will start from the gap you've cut at the top of the bucket. Dig a trench 10 cm shorter than the length of the plywood sheet.
- Make sure the sides of the trench are level and even.
Dig another hole at the other end of the trench to place the second bucket. At the end of the trench, dig a hole deep and wide enough to fit the second bucket. Use the soil you've dug up to fill in the gaps around the bucket to secure it tightly.
- Be sure to orient the bucket so the gap faces the other bucket.
- The bucket's opening should be level with the ground.
Place the plywood sheet into the gap on the bucket. The plywood sheet will fit into the trench and the gap you've cut on the bucket, and it should stand on its own. Fill any empty spaces in the trench with soil to secure the plywood in place.
- You can hammer a few stakes into the ground next to the plywood for additional support.
Leave the trap for 12 hours, then check to see if any frogs have been caught. When the frogs hop around and encounter the plywood, they won't be able to jump over it and will be led to one of the two buckets, falling inside. Frogs are most active at night, so set the trap overnight or for 12 hours. In the morning, check the trap to see if any frogs are inside.
- Don't leave the trap unchecked for too long. Frogs caught in the trap may die from dehydration, starvation, or being preyed upon by other animals.
Using a Net
Use a long-handled net with a mouth width of about 45 cm to catch frogs. Choose a net with small mesh so that the frogs can't escape, and the handle should be at least 90 cm long, allowing you to reach the frogs from a distance.
- You can purchase a net at hardware stores or online.
Wait until it gets dark before going frog-catching. Frogs are more active at night, so you'll have a much better chance of catching them after sunset. Don't waste time waiting from dawn until dusk because the frogs won’t come around.
- Pass the time by practicing with the net, maybe by catching a tennis ball or something similar.
Use a flashlight to spot frogs near water areas. Frogs love water, so the best places to find them are near rivers or ponds. Frogs often hang around the banks of lakes or rivers, so use a flashlight to scan these areas and look for the bright white reflection of their eyes.
- Be cautious of encountering snakes while walking along the riverbank!
Shine the light on the frog as you approach it. When you find a frog, continue shining the flashlight on it so it can’t see you. Move slowly as you get closer. The light will dazzle the frog’s eyes, but it can still hear very well.
Tip: If you have a friend with you, ask them to shine the flashlight on the frog while you approach it from the other side.
Place the net over the frog. Swiftly lower the net over the frog with a decisive motion. Keep the net’s mouth close to the ground so the frog cannot escape while you move toward the net’s head. Wait for about 2 minutes to let the frog calm down before you remove it from the net.
- Avoid letting the net’s edge press against the frog.
Place the frog in a covered container. Once the frog has settled down and stopped jumping around, gently reach in from outside the net to lift it off the ground. Use your other hand to remove the frog and place it in a covered container to prevent it from jumping out.
- Ensure the container is well-ventilated so the frog can breathe.
What You Will Need
Set the Trap
- A 1.2m x 2.4m plywood sheet, 1.3 cm thick
- A hammer
- Nails
- A shovel
- 2 medium-sized buckets
Using a Net
- A net with a 45 cm diameter
- A flashlight
- A covered container
