The Wood Frog's Quack Signals The Start Of Spring In Alaska
By Megan McDonald
|
Published April 13, 2020
Spring has arrived in our great state, even if there’s still plenty of snow on the ground. There are many telltale signs of the change of seasons here in Alaska, and the sound of the quack by a wood frog is a distinct one that many people look forward to.
Alaska doesn't have too many amphibious creatures.
The ones it does have are as epic as the state itself. The wood frog is the most widely distributed frog in Alaska.
In fact, this frog actually be found all throughout Alaska, Canada, and along the eastern coast of the United States, all the way down to North Carolina.
These frogs love to live in forests like our boreal forests here in Alaska, and can be found all the way up in the Arctic Circle.
This wide ranging frog has many incredible talents, most famously the fact that it can freeze mostly solid.
Their heart stops beating and their blood stops pumping throughout the body. The frog's internal organs push the water to its limbs, and a natural sucrose is pumped into the frog's cells.
This natural antifreeze prevents the frog from dying in extreme temperatures, even though more than two-thirds of their body is frozen.
They are one of the first frogs that makes its appearance at the end of winter.
Every autumn when the temperatures drop, wood frogs freeze for seven months so they can survive Alaskan's harsh winter temperatures.
They stay frozen for weeks at a time, in temperatures recorded as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists believe this isn't as low as they can withstand, as they are frequently found in the Arctic Circle with temperatures much lower than that.
When spring arrives, these frogs only need less than 24 hours to completely defrost.
They call with a unique sound that is similar to a duck's quack. You will hear this ringing out over the forests and wetlands in Alaska when the snow begins to melt.
There is still so much unknown about the wood frogs.
Scientists are still studying these incredible creatures, and finding out more about their tolerances and abilities in all types of weather. We're just glad to see them as they herald spring into Alaska!
Have you ever heard the wood frogs quack in spring? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
If you want to experience more Alaskan nature, check out The 7 Birding Hotspots In Alaska You Need To Visit This Spring.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Related Articles
Featured Addresses