Although evening temperatures skirt 32 F, the native Chorus Frogs of NW Oregon continue to meet and mate. I spotted an single egg sac with 20 eggs two weeks ago, but now I can see 30 egg sacs, some containing 50 or more eggs. The male and female frogs must be conducting amplexus sex vigorously to produce that many eggs.
I can hear the relentless calls of the male frogs, but I have not yet seen a single frog. They are more invisible than usual.
There is still another two months for the frog mating season, too.
These frogs adapt to local conditions, meaning that chorus frogs can mate and produce young over a wide variety of temperatures over their entire range of the Northern Hemisphere.
However extended periods of near-freezing temperatures can slow growth of frog eggs and delay the subsequent birth of tadpoles, and retard their morphing into frogs. Studies show that delayed metamorphing causes lower survival rates. Yet I have seen egg sacs hatch that were at one point frozen in ice.
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What have you noted in your area or travels? Any stealthy critters in your yard? Please post your observations and general location in your comments. I’ll check back later.
/s/ Redwoodman