Species Risk Assessment: Amphibians & Invertebrates

This document provides species-specific risk assessments for all amphibian and invertebrate species in the Pets on the Green collection. Each species profile includes temperament, handling procedures, health monitoring requirements, and safety protocols.

Assessed by:	Ciera O'Rourke
Review Date:	April 2026 (reviewed annually or when collection changes)
Veterinary Care:	Mark Rowland MRCVS, Trinity Veterinary Centre, Maidstone

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VACCINATION STATUS

Important Information:

• Amphibians (Frogs): No vaccinations required or available
• Invertebrates (Insects, Snails): No vaccinations required or available
• All animals receive regular health monitoring and veterinary care when needed
• Biosecurity protocols in place to prevent disease transmission

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AMPHIBIANS: FROGS

1. White's Tree Frog (Dumpy Tree Frog)

Temperament Profile:

• Juvenile: Active, jumpy, requires gentle handling to build confidence
• Adult: Very docile, one of calmest frog species, tolerates handling well, often sits motionless
• Bite risk: Low - mouth too small to cause injury, rarely attempt to bite
• Jump risk: Medium - can jump suddenly but usually calm
• Skin toxicity: Low - mild skin secretions (not dangerous but wash hands after)

Handling Procedures:

• CRITICAL: Wet hands before handling - dry skin damages frog's delicate skin
• Use dechlorinated water or handling gloves moistened with water
• Scoop gently from below - never grab from above
• Cup in moistened hands - support body fully
• Keep low over handling tray/basin to prevent injury from jumps
• Soft, smooth, slightly sticky skin - unique tactile experience
• Cool to touch (amphibians are ectothermic)
• Keep handling brief (5-10 minutes maximum)
• Never handle if participant has hand sanitizer, lotion, or chemicals on hands (toxic to amphibians)
• Wash hands immediately after handling

Health Monitoring:

• Daily: Activity level (nocturnal), appetite, skin condition, posture
• Weekly: Weight, skin hydration, eye clarity, limb mobility
• Monthly: Overall body condition, fecal output, shedding frequency
• Signs of illness: Red leg (bacterial infection), bloating, lethargy, cloudy eyes, abnormal skin shedding, loss of appetite

Suitability for Handling:

• Suitable for: Most ages (7+), calm handlers, educational demonstrations
• Good for: Teaching about amphibians, rainforest ecology, unique texture experience
• Excellent: Very calm species, fascinating to observe, memorable sticky skin
• Not suitable for: Young children (under 7), those who cannot keep hands wet, very large groups

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2. African Bullfrog (Pixie Frog)

Temperament Profile:

• Juvenile: Active, can be aggressive when feeding, defensive posture common
• Adult: Can be calm or aggressive depending on individual, very large and powerful, territorial
• Bite risk: High - powerful jaws with tooth-like projections, can inflict painful bite and draw blood
• Jump risk: Medium - can lunge forward aggressively
• Size: Can reach 10 inches (25cm) and over 2kg - one of largest frogs in world

Handling Procedures:

• EXPERIENCED HANDLER ONLY - not for general participant handling
• Wet hands thoroughly before any handling
• Approach from side, not front (avoids feeding response)
• Scoop firmly with both hands supporting body
• Keep hands away from mouth - bite can be serious
• Very heavy for a frog - support weight properly
• OBSERVATION PREFERRED for most participants - show in enclosure or secure container
• If handled by participants: close supervision, hands positioned away from mouth, maximum 5 minutes
• Never handle near feeding time (increased aggression)
• Wash hands immediately after handling

Health Monitoring:

• Daily: Activity, appetite (voracious eater), skin condition, alertness
• Weekly: Weight, skin hydration, eye clarity, limb strength
• Monthly: Body condition (obesity common in captivity), fecal output
• Signs of illness: Bloating, red leg, lethargy, refusal to eat (unusual), skin lesions

Suitability for Handling:

• Suitable for: OBSERVATION primarily - educational talks, demonstrations in enclosure
• Good for: Showing size diversity in amphibians, discussing African wildlife, impressive visual
• LIMITED HANDLING: Experienced handlers only, close supervision, brief duration
• Not suitable for: Children handling, nervous handlers, those wanting hands-on experience
• HIGH RISK: Powerful bite can cause significant injury

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INVERTEBRATES: INSECTS

3. Orchid Mantis

Temperament Profile:

• Juvenile (Nymph): Very small, fragile, fast-moving, easily stressed
• Adult: Calm, slow-moving, beautiful, tolerates brief observation
• Bite risk: Low - can pinch with forelegs if threatened but rarely harmful
• Fragility: High - extremely delicate, legs easily damaged
• Camouflage: Stunning pink/white coloration mimics orchid flowers

Handling Procedures:

• MINIMAL HANDLING - primarily observation species
• Display in clear enclosure or on branch/flower for close viewing
• If handling necessary: allow to walk onto hand/stick voluntarily
• NEVER grab or restrain - extremely fragile
• Keep hands still - mantis will walk slowly if calm
• Maximum 2-3 minutes on hand
• Handle over soft surface to prevent injury from falls
• Wash hands before and after (residue on hands can harm insect)
• Best shown on decorative branch with flowers for photography/observation

Health Monitoring:

• Daily: Activity, molting status, appetite (eats flying insects), posture
• Weekly: Color vibrancy, limb integrity, abdomen size (feeding)
• Molting: Critical period - do not disturb, humidity essential, happens 6-7 times to adulthood
• Signs of illness: Darkening color, lethargy, refusing food, mismolt (stuck shed), falling frequently

Suitability for Handling:

• Suitable for: OBSERVATION - all ages, photography, educational displays
• Good for: Teaching camouflage, insect anatomy, predator behavior, rainforest ecology
• Excellent: Stunning visual appeal, unique flower mimicry, memorable
• Limited handling: Adult only, experienced handlers, very brief, observation strongly preferred
• Not suitable for: Young children handling, those wanting tactile experience

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4. Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect (Phyllium giganteum)

Temperament Profile:

• Juvenile (Nymph): Very small, delicate, active climbers
• Adult: Calm, very slow-moving, excellent handleable insect, docile
• Bite risk: None - herbivorous, no biting capability
• Fragility: Medium-High - delicate legs but sturdier than mantis
• Camouflage: Incredible leaf mimicry - green, flat body, veined wings, even brown spots like decay

Handling Procedures:

• GOOD HANDLING INSECT - suitable for gentle hands-on experience
• Allow to walk onto hand from branch/leaf
• Move very slowly - any sudden movement and insect freezes (defense)
• Support body on palm - will walk slowly if calm
• Legs can grip gently - completely harmless
• Handle over soft surface or handling tray
• Maximum 10 minutes handling
• Cool to touch, very light weight
• Fascinating to watch walk - slow swaying motion mimics leaf in breeze
• Wash hands before and after

Health Monitoring:

• Daily: Activity, feeding (bramble/oak leaves), color, posture
• Weekly: Limb integrity, abdomen size, molting signs
• Molting: Humidity critical, do not disturb, happens multiple times
• Signs of illness: Brown/black discoloration (dying), refusing food, falling frequently, mismolt

Suitability for Handling:

• Suitable for: Most ages (6+), gentle handlers, educational sessions, SEN (calming)
• Good for: Teaching camouflage, herbivorous insects, gentle handling practice, patience
• EXCELLENT: One of best handleable insects, safe, calm, fascinating movement, stunning camouflage
• Not suitable for: Impulsive handlers, very young children (under 6), those wanting fast-moving animal

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INVERTEBRATES: MOLLUSCS

5. African Giant Land Snail (Achatina fulica)

Temperament Profile:

• Juvenile: Small (2-3cm), active, good climbers
• Adult: Very calm, slow-moving, can reach 20cm shell length, very handleable
• Bite risk: None - radula (tongue) cannot harm humans
• Fragility: Medium - shell can crack if dropped, body delicate
• Slime: Produces mucus trail - slimy but harmless

Handling Procedures:

• EXCELLENT HANDLING SPECIES - safe, calm, fascinating
• Wet hands before handling (dry skin uncomfortable for snail)
• Scoop from underneath, support shell and body
• NEVER pick up by shell alone - can damage muscle attachment
• Allow to crawl on hand/arm - slow, predictable movement
• Slimy texture fascinating for sensory exploration
• Cool, wet to touch - unique tactile experience
• Can watch eye stalks extend and retract (gentle touch retracts them)
• Handle over tray/towel - leaves slime trail
• Can handle for 15-20 minutes
• Wash hands thoroughly after (slime is harmless but slimy)

Health Monitoring:

• Daily: Activity (nocturnal but can be active in day if sprayed), feeding (vegetables, cuttlebone), shell condition
• Weekly: Shell growth, body extension, slime production, fecal output
• Monthly: Shell measurements, overall health, breeding behavior (hermaphrodites)
• Signs of illness: Shell damage/cracking, refusing to extend from shell, dry/cracked skin, lethargy, not eating

Legal Notice - Invasive Species:

CRITICAL BIOSECURITY:

• African Giant Land Snails are listed as one of world's worst invasive species
• Illegal to release into wild in UK - serious ecological threat
• All eggs MUST be frozen/destroyed - species reproduces rapidly (hermaphrodites, 100s of eggs)
• Secure housing essential - cannot escape
• Substrate/bedding frozen before disposal
• Sessions conducted indoors only - no outdoor exposure risk

Suitability for Handling:

• Suitable for: ALL ages (3+), SEN, dementia care, wheelchair users, sensory seekers/avoiders
• Good for: Unique sensory experience (slime), teaching about molluscs, slow predictable movement, calming
• EXCELLENT: One of best invertebrates for handling, safe, fascinating, memorable texture
• Accessible: Completely safe, no bite/sting/poison, gentle, slow
• Caution: Some find slime texture unpleasant - offer observation option

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GENERAL AMPHIBIAN & INVERTEBRATE SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Amphibian-Specific Protocols:

CRITICAL RULE: WET HANDS BEFORE HANDLING AMPHIBIANS

• Amphibian skin is permeable - absorbs chemicals from dry/contaminated hands
• Use dechlorinated water to wet hands
• Never handle if hands have: hand sanitizer, lotion, soap residue, chemicals
• Wash hands thoroughly AFTER handling (skin secretions)
• Keep handling brief (5-10 minutes max)
• Handle over basin/tray - prepared for jumps
• Temperature: Keep cool (18-22 degrees C) - overheating fatal

Invertebrate-Specific Protocols:

• Clean hands (no chemicals) - insects very sensitive
• Gentle movements - invertebrates fragile
• Never grab/squeeze - allow to walk voluntarily
• Handle over soft surface - prevent fall injuries
• Keep sessions brief (5-15 minutes depending on species)
• Do not disturb during molting period - critical life stage

Hygiene Protocols:

• Amphibians: Wet hands before, wash hands thoroughly after
• Invertebrates: Clean hands before and after
• No eating/drinking during handling
• Equipment cleaned between sessions

Pre-Session Health Checks:

• Visual assessment: alertness, posture, skin/shell/exoskeleton condition
• Activity check: normal behavior for species
• No handling during molting/shedding
• Any signs of illness = no handling that day

Maximum Handling Times:

Species	Maximum Handling Time
Amphibians (frogs)	5-10 minutes maximum
Orchid Mantis	2-3 minutes (observation preferred)
Leaf Insect	10 minutes
Giant Snail	15-20 minutes

Emergency Procedures:

• Dropped animal: Assess for injury, return to enclosure, monitor closely, vet if needed
• Frog bite (bullfrog): Clean wound, antiseptic, seek medical attention if bleeding/deep
• Escape: Stay calm, secure area, gentle recapture, container/hands ready
• Snail shell crack: Return to humid enclosure, vet assessment for repair
• Insect leg damage: Return to enclosure, monitor - often molts heal minor damage
• All incidents recorded and participants informed

Educational Value:

These species provide excellent opportunities to teach about:

• Amphibian biology: Skin respiration, life cycles, metamorphosis
• Insect anatomy: Exoskeleton, molting, camouflage, mimicry
• Mollusc biology: Shell formation, locomotion, hermaphroditism
• Ecology: Food chains, habitats, invasive species threats
• Biodiversity: Variety of life forms, adaptations
• Conservation: Habitat loss, climate change impacts

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Pets on the Green Ltd - Company No. 17111255
4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9HN