Have you ever wondered what happens to the frogs in
winter? The snow last weekend reminded
me of how incredible these creatures are.
When temperatures drop, our amphibian friends have ways to cope with
this seasonal change.
One of the most common species in Colorado is the Striped Chorus
Frog (Pseudacris triseriata). This is the most common frog we hear in the
spring and summer near bodies of water.
It has a loud call, for such a little frog, as if you were running your
fingers over a comb. Try it!
As winter sets in, these frogs will slowly sink to the
bottom of a lake or pool and lie on top of the mud. They go into torpor, a dormant or less active
state, allowing them to slow their breathing and heartbeat and conserve energy.
Another amazing coping mechanism is that frogs produce an
“anti-freeze” in their body. High
concentrations of glucose in the blood and vital organs prevent them from freezing. Even if the frog freezes completely, stops
breathing and has no heartbeat, in the spring when the temperatures warm this
creature will thaw and be as good as new. It’s good to know that our amphibian friends
will live to croak another day.
