Party in the Wetlands Last Night

If I didn’t know any better, and I don’t, I’d say that the bullfrogs had a party in the Wetlands last night. With the temperatures in the seventies, and even eighties, this week it looks like the frogs have extended their breeding season.

Saw this little green treefrog today (10/25/12) tucked in among the smartweed.

While most of the other dozen or so species of frogs and toads that breed in our little Wetlands have been put to bed or at least on break (I did hear spring peepers calling last week and saw a treefrog today), I’ve been seeing plenty of bullfrogs along the water’s edge. That in itself is not unusual, I see bullfrogs throughout the year, even with ice on the water. I don’t believe that I’ve seen them lay eggs this late in the season though.

One of the many bullfrogs easily seen from the boardwalk his past week.
This female was seen from the Main Wetlands Overlook.
This very large individual was in the smartweed at the end of the boardwalk.

Why do I suspect that the frogs were breeding last night? Have a look at these pictures.

The white substance floating in the water appears to be a mass of frog eggs.

That’s right, there were masses of what looks like frogs eggs spread around the far side of the water.

More eggs.
It appears as if the frogs were very active.

The eggs should hatch within about five days and hopefully the tadpoles will survive. But, I don’t think that there will be any more impromptu matings this season, the temps are suppose to drop to more normal readings next week which should shut things down until the spring.

Good work frogs, for getting one more mating session in there!

 

2 responses to Party in the Wetlands Last Night

  1. Debbie says:

    Greg,
    Great post as usual – I would never have known that I was looking at floating eggs!

    • Greg Dodge says:

      Thanks, Debbie.
      The eggs only float for a brief period then sink to the vegetation below or to the bottom soon after being deposited. The next day there is usually no sign of what took place the day before.

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