Amphibian Spotters

Gray Treefrog

If you elect to participate as an amphibian-spotter, then we will provide you with data sheets. Any time you hear or see an amphibian of any type, you record the amphibian on data sheets and on a map. We are especially interested in whether you document the presence of any deformities in the amphibians you encounter. At the end of the year you simply mail your data sheets and maps to us. Your information will help us to better understand the distribution of amphibians in our state, and you will be serving as a watchful eye to detect any malformations in our states frogs, toads, and salamanders.

Amphibian: Two Lives
Life cycle of a frog:
(1) Tadpole growing back legs;
(2) Tadpole/frog with all four frog legs;
(3) Frog with tadpole tail almost gone;
(4) Full-grown frog.

How to be an Amphibian Spotter

The techniques for being an amphibian spotter are simple: Look for amphibians wherever you go. Of course, you might be most successful if you plan some trips to some wetland habitats, especially during the moist, warm conditions in the spring (both during the day when you can see amphibians and at night when you can hear them). In addition to the obvious habitats for frogs and toads along wetland edges, you could try some special search techniques. Turn over logs and rocks in wooded areas to look for salamanders (be sure to watch out for snakes and return all logs and rocks to their original positions). Use a mask to look underwater for spring-dwelling salamanders hiding in the rocky substrate of springs in the Hill Country. Use a seine in slow-moving water bodies in East and South Texas to capture amphiuma, sirens, or newts.

Try your best to identify the species of amphibians you encounter. If you are uncertain of the identification, then you can take a photo or record its call for later research. Estimate the number of individuals present (if you can see the animals, then record your number under abundance; if you only hear the frogs or toads, then you can write down a call index value). Record as much data as you can about the species and its habitat, because that can help us to identify it as well. Return the animal to the location where you found it.

Some special notes:

Several amphibians in Texas are listed as threatened or endangered (See link below). It is unlawful to capture these amphibians without a permit, although you may observe and photograph them. Regardless of the status of the amphibians, try to leave the animal and its habitat just as you found it.

Please respect the rights of private property owners during the course of your volunteer efforts. Legislation in Texas protects the rights of private property owners with regard to biological data that is collected on their property. The private Lands Access Request form will grant TPWD the right to store, summarize, and report data that you submit from private property. That information will be subject to Open Records Act requests. Do not trespass or report any data without permission. Read over the Rules of Frogging for more guidance on courtesy, ethics, and safety when working with amphibians.