If you ever tried to pick a frog up, there is a very good chance it may pee on you. But have you ever wondered why frogs have this behavior?
Frogs may pee on you when you pick them up as a defense mechanism to avoid being eaten. It is a sign the frog feels stressed or uncomfortable.
Frogs are not the only animals that use urine in self-defense. Many animals (such as Guinea pigs) use urination to defend themselves when handled or feel threatened by a predator.
Frogs May Pee to Defend Themselves
Frogs are fairly small creatures, and many animals, such as birds, snakes, small mammals, fish, and even large spiders, prey on them.
For this reason, frogs have developed many ways to defend themselves against predators.
Some frogs, such as Pickerel frogs, produce skin secretions that are toxic or distasteful to many predators.
Other frogs may enlarge themselves when approached by a predator, to make themselves more intimidating.
When a frog is picked up by a human, it may urinate to make itself a less attractive meal.
The frog views you as a predator that is trying to eat it and reacts in the same way it would react to any other predator, such as a fox for example.
Besides urination, the frog may also employ other defensive tactics, such as screaming, and may even attempt to bite you.
Frog Urine Is Not Poisonous
While a frog may pee on you to defend itself, it is important to note that frog urine is not poisonous or harmful to humans in any significant way.
Although some frogs are poisonous, the toxins they secrete are not present in their urine.
Instead, these frogs secrete toxins on their skin, which can then be ingested by predators that lick the frog, or try to eat it.
This means even a poisonous frog peeing on you will not expose you to any toxins.
3 Things to Do When a Frog Pees on You
If a frog ever pees on you, take the following precautions to protect both you and the animal.
1. Gently Put the Frog Down
If a frog pees on you, it is a sign that the amphibian sees you as a harmful predator and feels stressed and uncomfortable.
Be mindful of the frog’s welfare and very gently place it down.
Avoid dropping the frog from a distance, as it could be harmed from a hard fall.
2. Very Thoroughly Wash Your Hands Under Running Water
After handling any frogs, it is extremely important to thoroughly wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap under running water.
Frogs and other amphibians can carry salmonella and other germs that are harmful to humans.
Before washing your hands, do not touch anything (you could spread bacteria) – and do not rub your eyes, touch your face, or put anything into your mouth.
3. Monitor Your Health
Although it is unlikely that you could be harmed by frog urine, the bacteria (or toxic secretions) frogs may carry can be easily ingested if proper safety precautions are not taken.
Over the course of the next few days, be sure to monitor your health and seek medical attention if you develop any illness.
Frogs Do Not Like to Be Handled by Humans
As earlier mentioned, frogs do not like to be handled by humans, or any other creature larger than them.
Handling a frog can cause it a lot of stress, especially if the frog is restrained or being handled in a way that causes it discomfort.
Frogs are in constant threat of predators, so even a human who means no harm will be perceived as a danger.
When you approach a frog, it will react in the same way it would react to a snake or any other predator in the wild.
It may secrete toxins, puff up its body, or even urinate on itself, to make itself less appealing.
Handling Frogs Can Be Harmful to Humans
Generally, handling frogs be harmful to humans if proper safety precautions are not taken.
- Some Frogs Are Poisonous
When threatened, some frogs such as Cuban tree frogs and several species of toads produce skin secretions that are toxic or distasteful to many would-be predators.
The toxin is not absorbed through your skin but can be absorbed through breaks or cuts on the skin, and the mucous membranes in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
For example, you handle a Cuban tree frog with your bare hands, then rub your eyes, or stick your fingers into your mouth without first washing your hands.
Doing this would enable the toxins to be absorbed by your mucus membranes and likely lead to strong irritation and general discomfort.
If the toxin comes in contact with your eyes, you may get a very painful sting, similar to the feeling you get when chili gets in your eye. It may even cause inflammation in the mucous membranes of your eyes.
For this reason, it is a good idea to avoid handling frogs, especially those that are poisonous. Although their skin secretions are not lethal when ingested by humans, they can still be very irritating.
- All Frogs Can Carry Salmonella Bacteria
Almost all amphibians can carry bacteria that can make humans sick. One important bacteria is salmonella.
Frogs can carry salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and continually pass them off in their waste.
The bacteria do not cause any illness in the frog – so a frog carrying salmonella bacteria may look very healthy, but can pass the bacteria off to humans.
You can be exposed through either direct or indirect contact with the frog its droppings, or anything the frog came in contact with.
Exposure to salmonella can lead to an illness known as salmonellosis which is characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Most infections only cause mild illness, but sometimes, the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream leading to serious illness.
Fortunately, you won’t get sick by simply touching a frog. The bacteria can only cause illness when they are ingested.
Therefore, thoroughly washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap immediately after touching the frog should keep you out of harm’s way.
Poor Handling Can Be Deadly to Frogs
Frogs and other amphibians have very delicate absorbent skin that allows liquids and gases to pass through.
This means that oils, salts, lotions, perfumes, soap, insect repellents, sunblock, and other substances you might have on your hands can pass right through their skin and end up inside their body.
Handling a frog with harmful substances on your hands can be harmful, or even deadly to the animal.
For this reason, it’s advisable to observe amphibians from a distance, without physically touching them.
Tips to Prevent Frogs From Peeing on You
Before handling any frogs, it’s very important to thoroughly wash your hands so they are very clean, and rinse them EXTREMELY well.
Your hands should not just be clean from dirt but from perfumes, lotions, or any other substances that could harm the toad. Make sure to completely wash off any soap residue so it does not remain on your skin (it can harm the frog).
Even better, you could wear protective gloves (powder-free vinyl gloves or nitrile gloves).
Wearing gloves will not only prevent you from coming in contact with any bacteria (or toxic secretions) that may be on the frog’s skin but will also protect the frog from harmful substances you may have on your hands.
As you handle the frog, do it very gently and with care so you do not injure or stress the animal in any way.
Avoid squeezing the frog too hard, or applying too much pressure on it.
A frog will only pee on you when it feels stressed or uncomfortable, so be careful not to stress the animal.
Conclusion
Frogs have many ways of defending themselves against potential predators.
When threatened, some frogs may enlarge themselves, or scream, and some species may even secrete skin toxins.
Many frogs will also urinate to make themselves less appealing meals to predators.
When a frog pees on you, it is simply trying to defend itself, and it’s best to gently put it down.