Listen for Frogs and Toads at the Arb in April and May
By Matt Schuth
Naturalist
Amid the cacophony of birdsong, our local amphibians also demand a place in Mother Nature’s springtime orchestra. The Western Chorus Frog is the first to emerge in spring and will sing and mate for about two months. Its call is a clicking sound, like a thumb being rubbed over the teeth of a comb. It is identified by three stripes running over its back. When approached, the chorus frogs will stop singing in unison.
Wood Frogs are found in bottomland forest areas and mate for only two weeks in April and will not be heard from the rest of the year. They are marked with a distinctive black facemask and their unique call sounds like a flock of mallard ducks quaking. A woodland pond erupts in song when they join in harmony with the Western Chorus Frog relatives. Wood Frogs can be heard south of Green Heron Pond, at the back of the Bennett-Johnson Prairie and at Spring Peeper Meadow.
The American Toad is the common toad of Minnesota. It begins calling in May with males trilling in 20 to 30 second intervals. A female will lay 4,000 to 20,000 eggs. Toadlets are less than one half inch in length when they transform from their tadpole stage. Toads will inflate their bodies to prevent themselves from being swallowed by a predator. Their parotid glands secrete a bitter toxin to also ward off enemies. Toads will urinate when handled as many a curious child can testify to.
These are just a few snippets of nature's treasures waiting for visitors at the Arboretum.
Look for more nature observations from Matt Schuth in every issue of the Arboretum’s member newsletter. For information on how to become a member, click here.
|