Connexion reader Sue (73) has been living in the Ariège (Occitanie), not far from Mirepoix, with her husband for roughly 20 years. The Dutch-American couple have a chemical-free garden, growing bio vegetables and welcoming a variety of wildlife, including a blue frog.
This rare amphibian has been spotted twice in the garden, the first time dating back to last autumn: “My husband first noticed the little guy on the lawn while he was cutting the grass. He brought him over to me and I took some pictures, then I put him in my herb garden which is next to the house.”
Sue's garden welcomes lots of wildlifeSue
When Sue was weeding the same herb garden this spring, she noticed the blue frog once more: “It was quite funny seeing him again. I did not touch him or take a picture of him this time, I just let him hop around.”
The rare blue colour is explained by a condition known as axanthism, which is estimated to impact one in 10,000 frogs.
Tree frogs are normally green in colour because of the presence of both yellow and blue pigments in their skin. However, sometimes the yellow pigment is absent due to a genetic anomaly and so the frog appears entirely blue.
“He has a lot of green frog friends around the house and a giant emerald-green lizard lives in the vegetable garden,” said Sue.
She also sees hedgehogs, bats and thousands of birds at her back door step: “We feed the tits all winter long and we have chickens too,” she said.
“I have told all my family about the little frog but never thought it was that unusual. Then I saw your article and I thought I would share my picture too.”
Have you ever seen a unique or beautiful creature in your back garden in France? Tell us about it by emailing feedback@connexionfrance.com
