A New Alternative Method for Restraining Frogs

Ryan Bourque

Department of Biological Sciences

Humboldt State University

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ABSTRACT

BOURQUE, RYAN M.
Humboldt State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Arcata, CA
rmb32@humboldt.edu

A New Alternative Method for Restraining Frogs

Amphibian biologists use several different methods for marking adult anurans including toe clipping, PIT tags, visible implant elastomer, and radio transmitters. Employing such techniques requires maintaining control of study animals, which often entails field assistance or the use of anesthetics. Here, I will present an alternative method for restraining anurans that can be used in place of these conventional methods. This device, known as the "Ranid Restrainer", is inexpensive, durable, waterproof, easy to use and decontaminate, lightweight, and restrains frogs safely and quickly. After two years of field-testing, I have found this device to be an invaluable tool, especially when working alone, for marking small to medium sized ranid frogs.