Because of their delicate, easily damaged skin, amphibians do best when not handled, and when they must be handled it should be quick and atraumatic. Amphibians should not be handled unless absolutely necessary, such as for transport, transferring enclosures, or veterinary exams.

A very important fact to remember is that amphibians can feel pain and discomfort. They feel it when you touch them, and handling any amphibian too roughly or too firmly can hurt them. NEVER pick up or restrain an amphibian by its tail- This is extremely uncomfortable, and in most species the tail may autotomize (break off).

You can tell if the amphibian you are handling is uncomfortable or is in pain if it struggles or tries to escape when held. Because all captive amphibians are wild animals, even if the animal is not in pain, it may react this way to human contact (for example, if the lizard thinks you are a predator). However, a normally calm amphibian may act this way if it is being hurt, or is uncomfortable for any reason, be it the way you are holding it, or an unfamiliar sight, smell or sound that frightens or stresses the animal. To be certain that the reason for your amphibian's struggle to get away is not because it is in pain, you must know how to properly hold the animal, with the correct amount or pressure or firmness. You should also avoid exposing your amphibian to loud and sudden noises, large movements, or anything else that might suddenly frighten it.

 

Wearing powder-free latex gloves lubricated with water is recommended to avoid damaging their delicate skin, cross-contamination between animals, and coming in contact with some species' toxic skin secretions.

Small, delicate or very toxic amphibians:
The best way to handle very small, very delicate or animals that are potentially dangerous to the handler is to not handle them at all. Transparent, plastic deli cups or other clear containers are excellent temporary holding chambers to observe these animals. Clients can be advised to transport their amphibians in these cups (preferably placed inside a Styrofoam cooler) to avoid unnecessary transferring of the animal from one container to another.

Medium to large anurans: Frogs and toads that will fit in your hand may be held with your entire hand enclosed around the animal, its dorsal aspect facing your palm. Your index finger should be wrapped around the dorsal aspect of its head with your thumb across its chest, placed under its forelimbs. Your other fingers should coil firmly around its body, the last few fingers holding the anuran's thighs against your palm. For anurans that are too large to accomplish this with one hand, your upper hand can be used to grasp the cranial end of the anuran as described above, and your other hand will be used to restrain the hind legs. Many toads (Bufonidae) become very still if flipped over onto their backs, so this can be used as a very short-term way to observe their venter without holding the animal. To observe the dorsal aspect of the anuran, handling is not necessary, and holding an anuran in the palm of your hand unrestricted typically results in the animal jumping and possibly hurting itself. Very large anurans: Very large anurans are simple to handle, but a challenge to restrain because of their powerful hind limbs. Their dorsal and lateral aspects are not difficult to visualize as long as they are cleaned of loose substrate. To observe the ventral surface, grasp the anuran from its sides with the full palms of your hands, and gently lift to view the animal's underside. As with smaller toads, they may become lethargic and still if placed on their backs. Small to medium terrestrial or arboreal caudates: You may observe the dorsal aspect of these animals without disturbing them. To view the venter, they may gently be grasped caudal to the forelimbs with your thumb and index finger and lifted. Small caudates may not need any more restraint; larger caudates may require you to curl your other fingers around the body for more control.

Technique for handling medium-sized anurans. A simple handling technique for small caudates. (Cynops orientalis)

Aquatic anurans, caudates, amphiumas, sirens and caecilians:
Small aquatic species may be collected from their enclosure using a suitably-sized fish net and placed in a plastic deli cup for observation. Medium-sized aquatic caudates may be herded into a plastic observation container like a large deli cup. They can also be grasped with both hands. One hand should coil around the head and sternal region, preferably pinning the forelimbs gently between two fingers. Your other hand should grasp the hind limbs and tail in a similar fashion. Larger aquatic anurans present a challenge as they will thrash wildly when held, and their particularly slimy skin makes this no easier. They can sometimes be herded into a clear plastic observation container.

The snake-like amphiumas and sirens can deliver a painful bite, and along with aquatic caecilians, you may pin their head gently with a fish net and grasp them behind the head to restrain much like you would a snake. They may still thrash when handled this way, so to avoid stress and trauma you may opt to observe them in a clear container.

Caecilians:
Caecilians are shy and easily stressed so as much observation as possible without handling should be done. They may be grasped gently behind the head similar to how snakes are restrained. Be sure to support the rest of the body when holding the head.

What To Do If You Get Bitten

What first should be understood, is that if you have been bitten, it is more than likely your own fault. Amphibians such as amphiumas and sirens may bite in defense, but most other bites are because you made yourself look like food to the amphibian.

If the amphibian is holding onto you with its mouth, do not jerk, shake or hit it to get it to release its grip. Dunking it into a container of (treated) water may help, or gently flipping the amphibian upside down (do not do this where the amphibian can fall a large distance).

Most amphibians will not draw blood, but any open wounds caused by a bite should be cleaned and bandaged appropriately to prevent infection.

Last modified: Sunday, March 19, 2006

Sources:

• Fowler, ME. 1986. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (2nd Ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

• Wilson, B. 2003. Amphibians. In: Ballard, B and Cheek, R (eds.). Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician. Iowa: Blackwell Publishing.

• Wright, K. 1996. Amphibian Husbandry and Medicine. In: Reptile Medicine and Surgery (1st Ed.). DR Mader (ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.