Wood Frogs' Winter Survival & Spring Breeding

0:00Spring has arrived in Connecticut, and wood frogs are stirring after months frozen solid on the forest floor. These small brownish tan amphibians, about 1.5 to 3 inches long, are among the first to breed as temperatures rise. They're common in state forests, and many folks hear their loud calls without knowing the source. When makes them special is their freeze tolerance. Unlike most frogs that hide underwater, wood frogs burl under leaves and produce glucose from their livers. These natural antifreeze protects their cells, letting their bodies turn to ice, with just a faint heartbeat. They enter a kind of suspended animation through winter. Now as they thaw, the frogs head to vernal pools, temporary wetlands that fill with spring melt and rain. These pools are essential for breeding, since wood frogs won't use ponds or swamps. They spend the rest of their time in surrounding forests, hunting insects, spiders, and worms. Their numbers are dropping due to lost habitat and deadly road crossings during migrations.

1:01Officials with Connecticut Fish and Wildlife note that even short trips to pools often mean dodging cars, especially on rainy nights. Stay biologists urge drivers to slow down on woody roads and watch for crossings. Protecting these tough little survivors helps keep vernal pools thriving and forest full of life. This has been Hartford News Today, powered by AI.