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Overwintering a Frog in a 150-Gallon Pond in Philadelphia

Should I Bring This Frog Inside for Winter?

Depends on the species. Toads and terrestrial frogs hibernate on land—leave them alone. Aquatic frogs (bullfrog, green frog, pickerel frog) hibernate underwater.

If It's an Aquatic Frog

Your 150-gal, 20-inch pond in Philly (Zone 7) may freeze solid.
Ring heater keeps a hole open—but bottom may still freeze.
Option A: Keep heater running, hope frog survives.
Option B: Move to a cool (40°F), aerated indoor tub with mud/leaves.

Identify First

Photo + location → herp group or Frog Overwintering Guide.

If native and aquatic, it's adapted to local winters—but a tiny pond is riskier than a natural lake.

Pond and Water Gardening: Six Dead Frogs in Fishless Pond: Causes; Helping Pond Frogs Survive Winter in a Lined Pond; Frogs in Your Garden Pond: Friends, Not Foes; Frog and Toad Numbers in a Fish Pond: What's a Safe Balance?; Overwintering Pond Frogs with Koi; Identifying Frogs in Your Koi Pond: Friend or Foe?; Noisy Frogs and Adding a Turtle in South Florida; Adding Frogs to a Koi Pond in Los Angeles: Go Native; Snakes, Frogs, and Netting: Balancing Predator Control in a Small Pond; Controlling Noisy Frogs: Classical Music, Snakes, and Habitat Modification

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