Frogs and Newts!
Posted February 25, 2015 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Shona at Wolf Hollow sent over this story about these tiny little creatures that are beginning to stir with the coming of Spring…
Tree Frog – Wolf Hollow photo
Before you get the wrong idea, this is not about witches’ potions, it’s about signs of spring on the San Juan Islands!
Have you heard the frogs? Its breeding season for Pacific Tree Frogs, so the males are gathering in ponds and wetlands and croaking their little hearts out to attract female frogs. It is difficult to believe that such a loud sound is being made by tiny green/bronze amphibians, less than 2 inches long.
They mostly call at night, but if you are lucky enough to see them in action you can watch as they inflate the vocal sacs in their throats to an amazing size, then produce a loud crek-ek sound. When hundreds get together in a good breeding pond the noise can be deafening and feels like it’s reverberating through your whole body. It is well worth an after-dark walk or drive to listen to this incredible chorus.
This is also the time of year when Rough-skinned Newts are on the move. The females are moving back from their winter hiding places in the woods to the ponds and wetlands where they breed.
Sadly, their route often takes them across roads, so many get squished by cars. We know of one crossing point on Boyce Rd, just down the hill from Wolf Hollow, but there are many other parts of the islands where newts will be making their way across roads.
Although they have a bright orange belly, their back is brown and they are only a few inches long, so they are really difficult to see when you’re driving. Please look out for Newts Crossing and let your neighbors and friends know too.
If you are seeing newts in particular areas on the San Juans, we’d love to know, so we can find out where their breeding areas are. Give us a call (360 378 5000) or send an email to:
wolfhollow [@] wolfhollowwildlife [.] org.
You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.
Categories: Around Here
No comments yet. Be the first!
By submitting a comment you grant the San Juan Update a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate, irrelevant and contentious comments may not be published at an admin's discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.