Camera Flash... does it annoy them?

[carlcaruana]

Hi... does a camera flash annoy the frogs and toads? thx

[tgampper]

I have taken pictures of several frogs and they didn't seem bothered with the flash.

[GrifTheGreat]

Well some are and some are not. A lot of it depends on the frog. Nocturnal species don't always get annoyed but are more prone to be annoyed because when they are awake and active it is night time. So since they are active in the dark bright lights like a flash can bother them. The frogs personality and all around temperment are factors as well. Basically this is a yes and no.

[WorldClassFrogCoddler]

I know a lot about animals, I'm like a little Crocodile Hunter Jr. I've captured and kept all sorts of wild creatures from a very young age. That said, frogs are the creatures I know the least about, so my advice may not be helpful.

Anyway, I think it's probably the same for lots of different animals. One flash, they go, ok that's fine, 5 flashes and they go oh geez that's plenty, 15 flashes they start punching paparazzi and flinging curse words, 50 flashes, full on King Kong mode, break the shackles and ramapage through New York.

That advice is based not on frog knowledge but animal knowledge in general. I find most animals will tolerate a small amount of almost anything, but they all have a breaking point where they become stressed. Good luck and would love to see some pictures!

[notshy]

I'm more concerned about a flash harming their little eyes. We take a lot of pics of our Buntah, never with flash. But tonight I
forgot to switch back to flash-off after using the camera for other things. Then Buntah was being so adorable I had to get a shot of her. The flash went off maybe 5 or 6 inches from her face. She didn't seem startled and seems fine, I just want reassurance I haven't blinded my baby. Anybody know for sure if flash is harmful?

[XDragonFrogX]

Grif pretty much summed it up imo
I think albino frogs might be bothered by it a bit more as well. But it depends on the frog. None of mine dont seem to be bothered by flash

Amber

[Tongue Flicker]

I think they're more attracted to the shadows cast by the flash, thinking it's a moving prey than be bothered by the flash itself. Seen this happen with my tree frog

[UncleChester]

I'm more concerned about a flash harming their little eyes. We take a lot of pics of our Buntah, never with flash. But tonight I
forgot to switch back to flash-off after using the camera for other things. Then Buntah was being so adorable I had to get a shot of her. The flash went off maybe 5 or 6 inches from her face. She didn't seem startled and seems fine, I just want reassurance I haven't blinded my baby. Anybody know for sure if flash is harmful?

Should be fine, at that range the flash will power down and the built in flash on most cameras is pretty weak to begin with. Unless you're going right up in the frogs face and firing off dozens of full-powered flashes in a row, I wouldn't worry about it.

I've flashed hundreds of wild frogs and my own frogs many times. I've never seen them react in any way at all to the flash. I've flashed frogs at night, in the day, while calling, while eating, and they'll just continue to do what they were doing provided I don't make any sudden movements that startle them. I do generally use a big honking diffuser on my main light which is much easier on the eyes of the subject, and to be fair I have also flashed myself at much higher power than I'd ever aim at a frog, just to see how I liked it.