Amphibian Handling and Restraint

Date: January 2, 2023

By: Colin McDermott, VMD, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian Practice), CertAqV

Second Author:Christal Pollock, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)

Keywords: , , , , , , , , , ,

Categories: Amphibians,  Reptiles & Amphibians, 

Key Points

  • Both handling time and frequency should be kept to a minimum to reduce stress on the patient.
  • Visual examination should be performed prior to handling for all amphibians and can be aided by placing the amphibian in a clear container or plastic bag.
  • The use of moistened, disposable gloves reduces the risk of trauma to the amphibian’s delicate skin during handling and restraint.
  • Many amphibian species possess a number of defensive mechanisms, like developed parotid gland toxins in toads, toxin skin secretions, thickened mucoid secretions, biting, feigning death, inflation, and micturition.
  • Some salamander species are capable of tail autotomy and can drop their tails when handled.
  • Many medium-sized and large frogs and toads can be safely gripped around the pectoral or pelvic girdle.
  • To minimize the risk of traumatic injury, chemical restraint may be needed for small anurans (<5 grams). A small specimen may also be secured between the handler’s thumb and forefinger so that it lies across the handler’s palm.
  • Larval amphibians should be handled at absolute minimum. Larvae begin to dry as soon as they are removed from water and will die quickly if they are not returned to water or moistened regularly.
  • Mortalities have been reported in tadpoles exposed to latex, nitrile, and to a lesser extent, vinyl
  • Frogs and salamanders have been implicated in the transmission of salmonellosis to humans. Hand-washing, sanitation, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment will reduce the risk of disease transmission.
  • This article is part of a RACE-approved Herptile Handling teaching module.

Part of the Herptile Handling Teaching Module, this review article addresses handling and restraint of amphibians, a diverse group that consists of over 8,000 extant species belonging to three orders: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata or Urodela (salamanders, newts, and sirens), and Gymnophiona or Apoda (caecilians). Transport, defense mechanisms that may prove hazardous to handlers, potential dangers for the patient, and specific capture, handling, and restraint techniques are reviewed. Equipment needed, including personal protective equipment, is also discussed as well as measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission . . .

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Further reading

Boyer DM, Ettling J, Flanagan JP, et al. Venomous reptile handling. Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery. 2003; 13(1):23-37. doi:  10.5818/1529-9651.13.1.23

Cabanac A, Cabanac M. Heart rate response to gentle handling of frog and lizard. Behav Processes. 2000;52(2-3):89-95. doi: 10.1016/s0376-6357(00)00108-x. PMID: 11164677.

Hunt CJG. Stress and welfare. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ (eds). Mader’s Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019. Pp. 224-225.

McDonald GR, Hudson AL, Dunn SM, et al. Bioactive contaminants leach from disposable laboratory plasticware. Science. 2008;322(5903):917. doi: 10.1126/science.1162395. PMID: 18988846.

Norton TM, Andrews KM, Smith LL. Working with free-ranging amphibians and reptiles. In:  in Mader DR, Divers SJ (eds). Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine & Surgery, 2nd ed. 2019; St. Louis: Elsevier. Pp. 1366-1389.

Olivieri A, Degenhardt OS, McDonald GR, et al. On the disruption of biochemical and biological assays by chemicals leaching from disposable laboratory plasticware. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2012;90(6):697-703. doi: 10.1139/y2012-049. Epub 2012 Apr 17. PMID: 22509735.

To cite this page:

McDermott C, Pollock C. Amphibian handling and restraint. January 2, 2024. LafeberVet web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/amphibian-handling-and-restraint/