Frog death

Mr. Vine Eye

Hi, I found a frog yesterday near the pond at my allotment. It looked very healthy as far as I could tell. 

This morning I found, what appeared to be the same frog, but dead. It was very stiff, had gone a strong red colour and looked desiccated. It was supposed to have dropped down quite cold overnight but nothing ridiculous. Light frost possibly. I’d be surprised if it had died from cold as there was plenty of cover available and the pond to use. But it was just lying there, a couple of meters away from where I’d last seen it on the cut grass path, in the open, dead. No sign of wounds or foul play.

Any ideas?

Jenny_Aster

Could be Ranavirus? 

"The most common amphibian disease in Sussex is ranavirus. This is often referred to as 'red leg disease' but this is misleading as infected frogs don't necessarily have red legs and some healthy frogs naturally have red skin. The disease is most noticeable between June and August when adult frogs and toads can be found dead or dying in or around the pond."

https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/discover/in-your-garden/article/18

JennyJ

Presumably frogs can die of old age if they survive everything else.

philippasmith2

Agree with possible Ranavirus.  Worth contacting your local Wildlife Trust/Society to see if anyone else has reported in the locality - or just to ask their opinion/ let them know. 

Mr. Vine Eye

There it was the day before. With hindsight it didn't look right!