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How to find frogs, by Dr. Chris Raxworthy
The key to finding frogs in the wild is timing (and a bit of luck). Almost all frogs are seasonal in their activity- and will either hibernate when it is too cold, or aestivate when it is too dry. Warm wet weather is the best time to find frogs- especially in the Spring or after a long dry spell. The ideal time is during the breeding period. Frogs at this time will be active, usually calling (which helps guide you to them), and can be super-abundant around breeding sites such as ponds. But the breeding season for many species is usually short (for explosive breeders often just days), so you will need skill and experience to time this perfectly.
The other part concerning timing for frog watching is that you also need to go out at night. Most frogs become a lot more active at night, and you will be able to see many more types of behavior. The best time is usually the first few hours after dusk, on humid or rainy evenings in Spring. You will find it easiest to use a headlamp (we recommend the best type, that runs of D batteries, to give you long periods of reliable light, is rugged, and comes with a spare bulb). This way, your hands are free to catch frogs, use a net, take photographs, or hold onto branches. If you approach frogs quietly at night, and keep the light on them, you normally can get very close.
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