A homeowner who presumed the murky pond in her new garden was unoccupied has delighted internet users by revealing the unexpected resident who has since become the newest member of the family.
In a now-viral TikTok video, Roisin Quinn shared footage of the peaceful garden outside her new home, panning across the flourishing green space and lingering briefly on a dark, murky pond she assumed was empty.
That assumption quickly proved wrong. As Quinn, who won season 5 of the TV show Interior Design Masters, zoomed in on one section of the water, two unmistakable eyes appeared, peering calmly up from beneath the surface. Far from being abandoned, the pond was already home to a frog, whom Quinn sweetly named Herbie.
The clip has struck a chord with social-media users, amassing more than 1.8 million views and over 302,000 likes at the time of writing.
Newsweek has contacted Quinn via Instagram for comment. The details of the video could not be verified.
Writing alongside the footage, Quinn introduced Herbie as “the new member of the fam,” adding: “The fact that there’s any life in this pond honestly amazes me. It was right at the bottom of our renovation to-do list but thanks to Herbie, it’s suddenly jumped to the top.”
Indeed, just like her home is for her, Quinn hopes to turn the pond into “a cozy little haven” just for Herbie.
Experts say the frog’s presence is less surprising than it might seem. Frogs are amphibians, meaning they rely heavily on access to water and moisture throughout their lives. Conservation charity Froglife says that ponds—particularly those with still or slow-moving water—are vital environments for frogs, providing places to breed, shelter from predators and access food such as insects and other small invertebrates.
Murky water, meanwhile, is not necessarily a bad sign. Froglife notes that garden ponds rich in vegetation and organic matter can be especially appealing, offering cover and protection, even if the water appears cloudy to human eyes. The Royal Horticultural Society adds that frogs often choose ponds with surrounding plants, shaded areas and access to land for resting and feeding, as the adult ones spend much of their time out of the water.
Social-media users have been quick to weigh in on Herbie’s discovery, prompting Quinn to continue sharing updates about her amphibious neighbor. Within days, the original clip attracted more than 725 comments, with many joking that Quinn isn’t the true homeowner.
One comment reads: “I think Herbie was just nominated to be the welcoming committee.”
Another TikTok user added: “It’s cute that you think he lives in there by himself.”
A third person posted: “He owns that place—you just pay rent.”
One commenter joked: “Oh. He’s not alone. That pond is magnificent and is a luxury hotel for many more!”
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