Frog Counting Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Frog Counting
There are numerous ponds, water holes and other damp areas in the Knocklofty Reserve that provide a good habitat for frogs (some waypoints are supplied below). These regions (and the rest of the reserve) are cared for by the Friends of Knocklofty Bushcare Group. Eleven species of frogs ocur in Tasmania (six of them around Hobart). For more information about frogs see: About Frogs and Frogs of Tasmania.
Have you ever wondered if animals can count? Suppose frogs had developed the ability to count—how might they do it? In this way they could let you know of the location of any treasure hidden near to their favourite damp spot. Hermit the Frog supplied this information and his treasure is far from the popular ponds (and away from other geocache treasures).
Modern humans use the decimal numeral system (base ten). Ten was chosen because we possess a total of ten fingers and thumbs on our arms. Frogs might use a similar system.
Latitude
Suppose frogs developed a counting system based on the number of toes on their front legs. The treasure's latitude could be expressed as S a° b.c' where:
a = number of degrees
b = number of minutes
c = number of decimal minutes (milliminutes)
Our frog might report (perhaps by cunning croaking)
Longitude
Alternatively, maybe frogs had a counting system based on the total number of toes on both their front and rear legs (some ancient human civilisations did something similar). The treasure's longitude could be expressed as E d° e.f' where:
d = number of degrees
e = number of minutes
f = number of decimal minutes (milliminutes)
Our friendly frog might report (ribbit, ribbit)
The Cache
There are old quarries in the area, however access by children under supervision is easily possible. The "treasure" (cache) is in a plastic container in a black plastic bag.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gurer ner frireny ynetr ebpxf/obhyqref va gur nern. Gur pnpur vf uvqqra ng tebhaq yriry oruvaq fznyy ebpxf orarngu gur ynetr ebpx pybfrfg gb gur srapr.