Friday, March 23, 2012

Frog Blog

 Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica)  perform reproduction rituals in ponds that are still partly covered with ice.  Not so this year.  The record breaking  warm temperatures of March have caused all the ice to melt in the Music Mountain ponds. 
 


The egg masses of the wood frogs are submerged around the edge of the pond. 
 
 


Wood frogs disappear into the mud immediately when you approach.  In order to see one, you need to sit very still and wait until they decide to surface.  Soon little frog heads are bobbing, their legs are dangling and the males resume their ducklike croaking.  
In summer, Wood Frogs leave the water and enjoy the moist woodlands of Vermont.


An interesting fact about the Wood Frog is that it is the only frog to be found north of the Arctic Circle.  

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