FROGS AS WEATHER PROPHETS

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 162, 11 July 1899, Page 2

FROGS AS WEATHER PROPHETS

. Have you seen the little, weather frogs? They are knowing little chaps and can always tell when it is going to rain and when it is going to be fine, and if you will purchase a couple of them, just for company for each other, you will never be caught out in the rain without your umbrella. These little weather prophets are newcomers in our land, being German immigrants; They have been shown for a few days in a large bird store.

When I saw them the little frogs were perched on two sticks, Which ran across a glass-sided affair, like an aquarium box. These sticks Were almost at the top of the box, which was about half filled with clear water.

The majority of the little fellows were a dull brown, very nearly the colour of the stick on which they sat, and a few were between green and brown. These frogs are i*.ally tree frog 9, and have the faculty of changing their colour to match the object upon which they are perched.They receive the name of 'weather frogs'" because they jump into the water upon the approach .of rain or bad weather, and come out again when the weather shows signs of changing to clear. When full grown these tiny frogs are a little more than an inch in length.

In captivity the weather frog is kept in a glass jar or globe, which is covered on top with a wire screen. Water is put in the bottom of the jar, and at a convenient height a stick is placed for the little frog to jump upon.

The frog is fed on flies in summer, and in the winter on meal worms. Its food must be alive.