Amphibians in Drought Years
 

I built a number of small ponds (intermittent lentic wetlands) that are
rainfall dependent. I have tried to jump start the invertebrate population
(stumps, water and soil from other ponds), and to some degree amphibians. Tree
frogs came on their own. The ponds almost dried out last year (there was
almost a month long drought) and the frogs were huddling in what was left of
the water. I presume I will lose frogs completely in drought years, but am not
completely sure about this.

What happens to frogs in drought years anyway? They can't all die out, can
they? We had a number (of droughts) in Ohio some years ago, but I never really
thought about this then.

Amphibians in Drought Years
 

Cdonahey41 wrote in message
...

What happens to frogs in drought years anyway? They can't all die out,
can
they? We had a number (of droughts) in Ohio some years ago, but I never
really
thought about this then.

Good question. The frog population in my southern Michigan pond varies
greatly from year to year without any obvious correlating weather condition.

Amphibians in Drought Years
 

"Cdonahey41" wrote in message
...
I built a number of small ponds (intermittent lentic wetlands) that are
rainfall dependent. I have tried to jump start the invertebrate
population
(stumps, water and soil from other ponds), and to some degree amphibians.
Tree
frogs came on their own. The ponds almost dried out last year (there was
almost a month long drought) and the frogs were huddling in what was left
of
the water. I presume I will lose frogs completely in drought years, but
am not
completely sure about this.

What happens to frogs in drought years anyway? They can't all die out,
can
they? We had a number (of droughts) in Ohio some years ago, but I never
really
thought about this then.

The local population of amphibians declines in drought years, and expands in
wet years. Some survive by finding a water hole or a mud pit. Some types
bury themselves in the dirt or leaves, some hide out in storm drains