Hot weather for wood frogs.
Observation: First seen in the tunnel closest to the pond on the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Campus. I rarely see frogs in Anchorage, however I do know wood frogs are common in Alaska. These little guys stay frozen in the winter and thaw out in the spring. As we were walking there was a frog on the outside edge the tunnel. It did not make it very far before it died. We were thinking maybe it was too hot, it did not appear to be injured. I am just curious if the unusually warm weather is effecting smaller wildlife.
LEO says: This observation was forwarded on to the Alaska Wood Frog Program. What is the Alaska Wood Frog Monitoring Project? "The Alaska Wood Frog Monitoring Project is a volunteer based effort designed to assess the current status of Wood Frogs in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. The goal is to learn where they live, including their habitat types, and to establish a baseline for future monitoring. These projects are on-going and rely upon a network of volunteers consisting of individuals, families, community organizations, and school groups. We are looking for anyone who wants to learn more about amphibians and wetlands in South Central and Interior Alaska. This project provides a unique and fun opportunity to learn about amphibian ecology and to get outside and explore our wild Alaskan backyard – at the same time contributing valuable information to amphibian researchers in the state. Get involved in our Citizen Science wood frog program by participating in a wood frog survey, reporting your wood frog observation, or requesting an educational presentation." Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game
