Sunday 28 December 2014

Breaking the ice could save a life!

We've lost all of our snow. The goldfish pond is strange looking for December! Here is was a couple of days ago.
Fred, Mr. Amphibian expert, wrote:
temperatures in Warm Mudpuddle, Ontario, have been above freezing all day, +9C when I did the streets at 21h00 - 3 live frogs (Green, Bull, & Leopard) seen in the ditch in 20cm of water.

 

The frog pond, down beside the meadow, was quite watery on top. There is still a lot of ice underneath the water.

I saw a froggie yesterday in the goldfish pond. It was quite a mystery. They are supposed to be sleeping! Their metabolism lowers, they need less oxygen, and can absorb it from the water through their skin.
I chopped a hole in the ice with my hatchet. I could see Geraldine's arm today.


Hubby sort of laughed when he saw me doing this, but it was instinct. The green frog seemed to have issues.
North American frogs blood contains a natural anti-freeze and they can partly freeze and still re-animate themselves in spring.
Then Crafty Poet posted an article. "Breaking the ice could save a life. " UK frogs are different than ours, who must suffer regular -20 C. winter temperatures in Canada!
Today, it is getting colder again, with normal sub-zero temperatures soon. This is unusual, and must set off all sorts of flora and fauna! We're used to very cold weather, not this.

If you see a frog swimming under the ice of your garden pond this winter, it may need your help. 
BBC.COM

10 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Interesting post on the frogs in the cold winter. Them seem to survive around here.. Happy Sunday!

Ela said...

I am glad that there are people who save nature and animals !
I wish you a Happy New Year !

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That Winter was toooo short! I hope things get back to normal. Happy New Year.

William Kendall said...

We've lost quite a lot of our snow here as well.

Christine said...

I think the budding trees are confused too.

Christine said...

I think the budding trees are confused too.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
All of us slip up as we age...including Mother Nature! Hope Geraldine is okay... YAM xx

Red said...

You have some very weird weather. It's bizarre to hear about frogs being active at this time of year.

TexWisGirl said...

pretty amazing creatures. :)

DeniseinVA said...

I love frogs, this is an interesting post.