While it may be stressful for human beings to exist in a state where their head is perpetually just above the water, Dan writes that it’s a perfectly normal thing for a frog.
If you need to unwind from an increasingly stressful & chaotic world but can’t make it to an actual pond where you can watch frogs doing frog stuff, I highly recommend Dan’s Pond Life gallery on Flickr for relatable pics that make you feel like you’re right there with him!
PS: The last photo in the gallery is one of Dan’s that I shared back in 2021 with the title “Some day, all of this will be yours”, a title amused me to no end ;)
In a post the other day I included a photo of a frog that someone had captioned as a toad. I will always use your captions when I share your photos because it’s your photo so you can call it whatever you want, but for some reason that upset a reader. For that grumpy reader, and also for all of you, here’s a little more about the difference between frogs & toads thanks to this Michigan State University article:
Frogs and toads (also collectively called anurans, referring to the tailless frogs and toads of the Order Anura) are members of the class Amphibia … Renowned Michigan Herpetologist James H. Harding describes the distinction, in general, in the following manner: Toads are warty skinned, short-legged, hopping anurans. Due to their short hind legs, toads get around by short hops or walk rather than long leaps. Toads are also commonly described as having thicker skin, possibly because they are adapted to drier conditions than frogs. Frogs are smoother-skinned, long-legged, leaping anurans.
While there are over 3,500 anuran species around the world, there are only 13 species in Michigan. They are organized into three groups:
True Toads: terrestrial or burrowing with relatively thick, warty skin and short legs like the Eastern American Toad pictured.
Treefrogs and relatives: many like the Gray Treefrog have expanded sticky toe pads that allow them to climb trees and shrubs. Others like the ubiquitous Northern Spring Peeper stick to the surface.
Typical or “True” Frogs: are what many consider “normal” frogs, typically with long legs, smooth skin on their backs, and low-pitched “croaking” calls like the Green Frog (often confused for a Bullfrog) and the Northern Leopard Frog.
Bill shared this photo he took yesterday in the Michigan in Pictures group on Facebook. Follow Bill’s Pictures for his latest!
In honor of this brutally cold morning with single digit temperatures covering the state, so I couldn’t resist re-sharing probably the toastiest photo ever to grace Michigan in Pictures. Take a stroll through pics from pkHyperfocal’s Metro Parks gallery & for sure check out all their galleries on Flickr.
…“In the 25 years since chytrid was identified as a major cause of the global collapse of amphibian populations, our results are the first to provide a simple, inexpensive and widely applicable strategy to buffer frogs against this disease,” said Dr. Waddle.
The researchers developed artificial ‘hotspot’ shelters using readily available materials like bricks and PVC greenhouses. These structures create warm environments where frogs can raise their body temperature to levels that are uncomfortable for the chytrid fungus.
“In these simple little hotspots, frogs can go and heat up their bodies to a temperature that destroys the infections,” explained Dr. Waddle. It’s like a natural antibiotic treatment, but instead of popping pills, the frogs just need to bask in their personal saunas.
The results were remarkable. When frogs shifted to these hotspot shelters, chytrid infections were reduced significantly. This simple intervention could have far-reaching benefits for amphibian conservation efforts worldwide.
Though Steven titled this It ain’t easy… he wrote actually, on this day, it seemed pretty easy being green. This guy was eating fly after fly as I snapped away. Must’ve had 5-6 flies in about as many minutes. He looked like lack of food was not an issue.
What do you think, internets: is this a Northern green frog or a Michigan bullfrog? The only difference I know of between the two is that the green frog has a fold of skin from the eardrum down each side of the back.
Saturday was World Frog Day so let’s add another Michigan frog to the list, the Mink Frog (Rana septentrionalis) about which the DNR says:
A blotchy, spotted, greenish or brownish frog. Similar to Green Frog, but has spots or blotches instead of cross bands on the hind legs. Bright green upper lip and creamy to yellowish belly. Produces a musky, mink like odor when handled. Medium – 2 to 3 inches long.
HABITAT: Bogs, ponds, and lake edges. Remains close to permanent water.
BREEDING: June-July. Eggs laid on vegetation in deep water. Tadpoles may require more than one summer to become frogs.
VOICE: Likened to distant hammering; “Kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk.”
RANGE AND STATUS: Found throughout Upper Peninsula, but generally uncommon.
The next installment of the critically acclaimed Michigan in Pictures exclusive “Best Friends in Nature” series. I believe what these two have in common is a long list of shared predators, so this could well be a pond-side support group meeting. ;)
View John’s photo bigger and see more of his cool wildlife photos. Seriously, I feel like he’s the long-lost nephew of Doctor Doolittle when I look at his photos!
