Amphibian People !! How does a frog die?

[Lunachick]

I have Finn, my pond frog since 2 yrs ago when he was a tadpole. The last few days he's been lethargic and now he's floating on his back, baring his spotted belly.

He's still breathing... it doesn't look good at all. Should I just leave him alone? Let nature takes it's course? I feel bad for him, but I don't know what to do, or not do. Is this just natural for him? poor guy.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I certainly don't know anything about frogs .....I'm not sure...Have you tried turning him over?...maybe it's just his time... I do have pond goldfish tho that have lived for years and years...maybe someone else knows frogs...

 

[SpottedCrow]

That's how Whiskers, my Xenopus, went...She started doing the back float...
I'm sorry.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

If you have any flowers try burying her there once the time has come...

 

[ticks]

Acidy water?

 

[texasgirl]

Is he in a pond or fish tank? Changed the water lately? Could be high in nitrates or ammonia, both are detrimental to fish, frogs, turtles, etc.

 

[the1much]

if there is plenty of food and oxygen in his water,,, he's probably just reached his time. i would leave him be,,and let him "provide" for the other animals around your pond ,, and if in a tank,,, i would just take him outside after dark,,and still let him "provide" for others.

 

[Lunachick]

He's in a natural pond, no fertilizers used, he wintered over last year, I think it's his time to go too. Every time I go out to check him out he's floating, but I went out a little while ago, and he let me flip him over, and he was a little spunky....

i just hope it's not going to be a long time that he does this.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[patandchickens]

A large number of frog ailments cause kidney damage, which causes bloating (ascites), which can lead to floating oddly before death. It can take a fair while, though

From your description I seriously doubt he will recover. Personally I'd be inclined to help him out with a hatchet or shovel if he seems like he's uncomfortable, but it depends on how he seems and on your personal convictions.

If this is a bullfrog he is not at the maximum lifespan for the species or anything like that - some places, bullfrogs don't sexually mature til age 2 - but of course there are any number of things in nature that can shorten lifespan. I would doubt it is from anything you did; just a part of being a frog.

Condolences,

Pat, from an amphibian ecology lab back in grad school (though I only dealt with tadpoles, myself, and not as my main study organisms)