WILD CHILD: Do you know where Frogs go in Winter?

Do you know where frogs go in winter? Some frogs and toads hibernate in a small space below the frost line called a hibernaculum . Some frogs produce extra sugars and simply freeze soild and thaw in the spring. And some frog spend the winter at the bottom of ponds and lakes that don’t freeze completely.

Wild Child Outdoor Playgroup children and parents look through the ice to see creatures swimming along the pond bottom at Westminster Ponds Conservation Area.

On a Wild Child adventure in the winter we were able to see a Northern Leopard Frog swimming slowly below the ice on a very chilly day. The temperature had dropped very quickly freezing the pond ice in a clear sheet. As we watched closely we could see frogs swimming slowly along the bottom of the pond and hiding in the fallen leaves.

Can you spot the frog in our pictures?

You can join our Wild child Adventures year round on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.

Can you spot the frog hiding under the ice among the fallen leaves?

Close up of the frog from the previous image.