Could it Be That Time Already?!
Our winter weather has been getting stranger by the day! This week we are going to see daytime temperatures in the mid 60’s and overnight temps in the low 40’s and 50’s with possible rain. And you know what that could mean right? Amphibians could potentially begin their migrations to their vernal breeding pools within the next few days! This time last year we were still buried in snow and were still experiencing some of the winds and weather from the “polar vortex.” Due to the extreme cold last year, it wasn’t until early April when we saw spotted...
Read MorePeepers Peeping
Have you heard the Spring Peepers calling lately? These little frogs seem to be a bit confused as breeding season was over months ago! Although we are entering autumn and the frogs will soon be going into torpor (an amphibian’s form of hibernation), the current conditions closely mimic ideal breeding conditions in the spring. Low overnight temperatures, warm days, more frequent rainfall and a similar photo-period send the signal to the males to belt out their loud, high-pitched peeps in hopes of attracting some females. However, these little males will be disappointed pretty quickly as...
Read MoreSpring Migrations Have Begun!
So I’ve got a bit of a funny story for you and it goes a little something like this: last Thursday night, as we suspected, warm overnight rains began to draw spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), and other amphibians out from their winter refuges. They began their journeys to nearby vernal pools, but some of them took detours in the process. My husband Tyler and I were house and pet sitting for my parents while they were on vacation. Behind their home is a series of ponds that make up a beautiful wetland system, and vernal pools are abundant...
Read MorePeepers say spring is here
I heard some signs of spring today, November 11, coming from the forest! That was a rather quick winter season, wasn’t it? There were Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) calling from the woodlands optimistically thinking we may be on the way to warmth. This photo shows a Spring Peeper tadpole starting to metamorph into a miniature froglet that Twan photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours global diversity project. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSpring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
One of the last amphibious babies in Twan’s tanks takes what he calls “the reverse plunge” – this Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is about ready to go! Photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project.
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