All you need to know about the invasive species of britain.
For the people who don't know, invasive is an animal that can be found in a country, but isn't native there. For example the Brown Rat was actually only native to Central Asia but were intr...
The American Bullfrog originally came into Britain through the pet trade and got into the country side when owners would get rid of spawn or tadpoles in nearby ponds, they first bred in 1999 and have since widespread across England.
Problems
So, here's another invasive species that causes problems, what a surprise! So what exactly does this mouse muncher cause to our environment?
Well, because our amphibians are nowhere as near as big as this frog, it... well, it eats them. And with the constant spread of these frogs it can only get worse from here.
Britain's frogs, toads and newts will all soon be gobbled up by this fatty frog. That's why you can help with frog spawn! Frog spawn of marsh frogs and/or common frogs that is... not bull frogs.
If you see a bullfrog, report it! Don't worry you'll be able to tell, they're so huge confirmed to every other frog
Anyway onto the facts:
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Population Status Least Concern
British Population Not exactly known, though said to be increasing due to the fact it has been successful in establishing populations outside its natural range.
Diet Carnivorous, will eat almost any animal they can capture and fit in their mouths, this includes: worms, insects, fishes, other frogs, snakes, small turtles, small mammals and even birds.
Weight 453g
Size 20cm
Native Locations Nova Scotia (Canada), USA, as far as Mexico and Cuba
Habitat Must live in waters, can be found in lakes, ponds rivers and bogs that are warm, still and shallow. They'll be found in wetlands and swamps, but obviously not here because, Fun Fact: Britain has 0 Swamps!
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Predators
Now, what animals do these frogs have to worry about? Well, let's find out.
Birds such as herons can easily pick the frog up in its beak and eat it, badgers are also predators to these frogs. Mustn't happen too much though because badgers aren't semi-aquatic. They can swim though. Other predators can include otters.
Tadpoles will be eaten by snakes, fish, birds and other mammals as well.
But the biggest predator of all to these is the French.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
American bull frogs have strong bodies with large heads and a wide mouth. The legs are long and designed for jumping (you can see how long the legs are in the image above)
Like a frog does, they have webbed feet that can help them glide through the water easily.
Bull frogs only really sleep when going into hibernation during the winter, they can go months surviving without any rest. When they go to 'sleep' outside of hibernation they're still on guard and remain alert.
Bull frogs are overall a 7/10 from me. They're cool and I'd give them a 10 if they weren't destroying our amphibians. I guess animals were put in their respected areas because... that's where they were meant to thrive! That is crazy! Absolutely unbelievable how did no one think of that before-
Well that's about it for the bull frogs, hope you learned something new about them! Also, quick reminder if you see one (you WILL be able to tell) report it, I don't know how like, I don't know any nature places you can call up... look that one up for your area, then you'll know who to call when you see tubby toads casually snacking on everything they see.
