Frosty Frogs

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.