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Wood Frog
Rana sylvatica
45.2235, -92.7596
Field Notes
Description:
This smaller frog rarely gets longer than 2.8" and many are smaller. Individuals will vary in color from tan to dark brown, but all have the mask.
Habitat:
Wood frogs are widely distributed across the United States and Canada and north into Alaska. They use ephemeral pools and wetlands in which to breed but are otherwise often located in upland forests.
Notes:
This frog is a particularly interesting one as it hibernates in forest leaf litter rather than at the bottom of a pool or pond. To do this, it must be able to withstand temperatures that will freeze it solid. To do this the frog uses cryoprotectants, such as urea and glucose, that prevents cellular rupture. In spring the frog thaws and begins its normal routine. It may go through this cycle several times each spring if it initially thaws too early in the year. A marvelous adaptation!
I was photographing spring flowers next to a pond when I found this one. I was laying on the forest floor to get down low enough to photograph a flower when I felt something squirm under my hand. Carefully moving the leaves aside, I found this frog laying quietly.
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