Australia Promotes Frog Hotels to Support Tree Frog Conservation

Australia is a biodiversity hotbed, boasting thousands of unique species found nowhere else on Earth. Our landscapes host some of the most dense and vibrant ecosystems on the planet, shaped by millions of years of evolution in near isolation.

Speaking to Yahoo News, Andrew from the NSW Northern Rivers, said "frog hotels" are one particularly impactful, and relatively inexpensive way we can help the species thrive in urbanised areas.

Noting that he didn't originate "the whole frog hotel craze", Andrew said he has found it especially beneficial to a species of tree frogs in particular -- some of which are endangered or vulnerable.

"The process of building a frog hotel isn't very difficult at all," he told Yahoo. "[Take a] trip to Bunnings with a list of items to get including: PVC pipes, a deep-ish pot, aquarium silicone [to seal up holes for water-tightness], river sand and/or medium sized smooth rocks, which serve as a base and to hold the pipes in place.

"Plants are a worthy option, and they don't have to be your typical water lilies. Hydroponic plants work, as do the cheaper common grass plants. Bromeliads are a frog's natural place to hang out, but I prefer canna lilies as they're able to soak up nutrients in the water."

Andrew, owner of BigFella Videography, said tree frogs tend to make homes out of water tanks, house guttering and downpipes, "which is why they have a natural affinity for PVC".

"Males in particular like them because their croaks are amplified significantly," he explained. "Frog hotels will mimic their 'ideal' surroundings in absence of their natural habitat. The best thing is that you're only limited by your own imagination as to how far you want to go with building a frog hotel."

Andrew said at his place, frogs arrived almost instantly. He said he'd also heard of people making the hotels and "seeing them arrive within hours".

"Some will come by, have a look and be cautious about the new construction before settling in. But some people will wait weeks, months or even years before they get a frog," he said.

He said this arrangement won't suit ground-dwelling frogs because "they don't have the same types of feet and sucker pads on each toe" like tree frogs to make the vertical climb up the PVC.

"But I go above and beyond so I can make quality quarters for the frogs I get," Andrew said.

"A basic set-up will set you back about $90 but that includes everything you'll need to get started (excluding water)."

Andrew emphasised that anyone thinking of making their own frog hotel should be aware that they are prolific breeders, so if the set-up is successful, they "will likely have to be moved to another area" with water, such as a "makeshift fish tank or a children's pool".

In NSW, several tree frog species are classified as vulnerable or endangered due to various threats, including habitat loss, disease, and invasive species. Some of these include the Davies', alpine, yellow-spotted tree frog and peppered tree frogs.