Lynn, Yes Bullfrogs are now part of AZ's wildlife, however that does not mean we should perpetuate the problem by transporting them to locations where they don't exist (e.g. from the river to your pond) in spite of how neat it is to see a frog in your backyard. Many people are working hard to remove Bullfrogs from various locations. ItÂs a shame to hear that their work is unknowingly becoming undone. Bullfrogs are an environmental disaster that is costing all of us in one way or another- that includes financially. Who do you think pays for the recovery of listed species like Leopard Frogs? You do, I do, we all do. Your comment "To each his own" is really inappropriate here. I certainly understand and appreciate the enjoyment that comes from your pond and creating your own mini-ecosystem. However I think we should all do so in a responsible manner. I also believe it is now illegal to transport Bullfrogs. Not only do Bullfrogs eat anything they can fit into their mouth, but they are also one of the most prolifically reproductive animals in the world. They are also amazingly mobile. A friend of mine who studied Bullfrogs has told me that in a single summer they can move up to 8 miles!! These three traits make bullfrogs a nearly indestructible predator. Please do think twice about bringing them home. I, and IÂm sure many others would dearly love to be able to visit places like the Salt River and see native aquatic species again. Today that just isnÂt possible. Sincerely, Tlaconete

Acros the street there is a swamp and stream and there are tons of green tree frogs over there. I used to live down the street and we always had both frogs covering the sliding glass doors. Even had a barking tree frog. Theres no shortage of anoles around my house, the brown ones hang out in the sunnier spots and the native green ones in the shadier areas. Also geckos at night and quite a few toads. Right now there are lots of tiny baby toads in the grass. My yard has a live and let live policy except for fire ants and sugar ants coming in the house. Florida has been over run and invaded by people so whats a few tree frogs going to hurt. They breathe and live just like us. I don't want a big hand grabbing me and putting me to sleep in the freezer just cause I wasn't born here. At least they aren't fouling the water and producing noxious gases and poisoning the air. CTF are now a wild part of the Florida ecology. just too many places for them to breed and live, just like humans. The only time I'll kill them is when Florida is returned to forests, empty beaches and Native American villages.

Thanks, Ima! Glad to have all that info. One thing...apparently many experts have discarded the notion that freezing reptiles is painless and have updated their procedures to the benzocaine/Orajel method. Orajel is 20% benzocaine, and believe me the little frog I had this morning was bloomin' DAID! You can see right through them at that stage, and his heart quit beating completely. I disposed of the body in a bag and put it in the trash. No chance he'll wake up and hop around my yard any more. As to the skin irritation thing, perhaps the reason it has never bothered me is because I routinely wash my hands thoroughly after handling just about anything in the yard. I probably was my hands 30 times a day anyway. Maybe more. I don't like the feel of dirt on my hands (it dries my skin terribly) and I sure don't like the wet feel of frogs and critters that I might have reason to handle. So perhaps the possible irritant has never had a chance to bother me, I don't know. But by all means, if anyone is worried about that or just doesn't want to "feel" frog skin, grab those disposable gloves Evelyn mentioned. Easy solution. And don't forget, in addition to the skin on the head, CTF's have blue bones (those were clearly visible in the baby frog, right through his skin), and much larger toepads than native frogs. But again, if you aren't SURE, I would say don't kill the frog. Marcia

Bonnie, I have tree frogs too. They live in my hanging baskets and when I have had cold snaps, I have found them in a tupperware bowl I had forgotten that was half full of water. I did not realize it at the time, but they were keeping warm in the water. I have one of those tall rubbermaid 'sheds' that you would keep shovels and rakes in and always find them sleeping in there. so if your shed has the smallest opening for them, maybe they can keep warm in there. Have you seen those topsy turvy tomatoe hanging "plastic bags"? Last year, I had 2 families living in them. It was the greatest sight to see them 1 by 1 pop their little heads out looking for bugs at the porch light. Michelle