Category Archives: Life Cycle of Frogs

08/10/09

Photo Contest Update

Susan and I are thrilled by the many entries we’ve received for the Frogs Are Green photo contest! If you haven’t sent in a photo, you still have time: the deadline for sending in entries is September 1st. So as you go off on vacation to the lake, woods, or mountains, keep your eye out for photogenic amphibians. Or if you are having a staycation, consider spending a day checking out your local area for frogs. I hope you will also take a little time to browse through the wonderful photos we’ve received. The thumbnails of the photos are along the right side of the blog. If you click on the photo you will see the photographers’ names as well as additional photos they have submitted.

Wood Frog, White Mountains, NH

Wood Frog, White Mountains, NH

07/14/09

Frog Moon Dance

Well, its a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance….

The BBC Earth News reported today that biologist Rachel Grant of the Open University has discovered amphibians around the world synchronize their mating activity by the full moon. The animals use the lunar cycle to coordinate their gatherings, to ensure that enough males and females come together at the same time.

Grant made her discovery while studying salamanders in Italy. She noticed toads all over the road during the full moon. She then collated her data with a 10-year analysis of the mating habits of frogs and toads at a pond near Oxford, England, and with data on toads and newts in Wales collected by colleague Elizabeth Chadwick from Cardiff University, Wales.

This knowledge gives researchers practical information–for example, they will know precisely when to close roads to avoid killing frogs and toads during the mating season. It’s also useful information for FrogWatchers.

Now enjoy this video and imagine a romance—an amphibian romance, that is.