How do frogs hibernate? Information on rigid winter

Only the kissed frog is allowed to share the beautiful room with the princess as a prince. All other frogs are left out. They hop around in our gardens or crouch on the edge of the pond. In summer they delight us every day with a loud concert. But in winter they suddenly disappeared from the scene. Has the cold robbed them of their life energy? Or do you have your very own way of spending the winter outside unscathed?

Frogs, toads and body temperature

Frogs and toads are amphibians cold-blooded Animals. This means that they do not keep their body temperature constant at all times. Rather, their body temperature is linked to the prevailing outside temperature. Of course, only within certain limits. In winter, the temperature is therefore reduced a few degrees. However, if the temperature falls below 10 ° C, this has further consequences for the Quaker. You lapse into the so-called

Numbness and overwinter in this state.

Freezing winter: living in economy mode

As early as October, the temperature in this country can drop below 10 ° C. Movement is hardly possible for frogs and toads. Your cooled body does not allow this. If the temperatures drop further, other bodily functions are throttled until only breathing and the heart work on the back burner. In this economy mode, the energy consumption is kept to a minimum, so that the animals can get through the winter well with a few accumulated reserves.

• Rigid starts at temperatures below 10 ° C
• Animals remain immobile in their place
• if it is warmer in between, the rigidity is broken
• then they hop around in winter too
• if there is another drop in temperature, rigid winter follows again
• own body mass provides the required energy

Lethal temperature range

Ambient temperatures down to zero degrees are still tolerable for these amphibian species. However, if the thermometer reads in Minus range indicates, exists for the little hops risk of death. All bodily functions come to a standstill and the animal dies. Only a few specimens manage to brave the frosty cold for a short time.

Therefore is a protective one Hiding place absolutely necessary where it is a few degrees warmer and you can safely spend the winter in it. Because nobody knows in advance whether the approaching winter will show consideration for these animals and whether only mild days will be lined up.

Safer refuge for the winter time

Toads and most frog species overwinter on land. You are not a nest builder, the hiding place must already be found suitable.

• prefer moist holes in the ground
• underground tunnels for mice and moles are ideal
• hidden places under tree roots
• Crevices
• Gaps under stone slabs
• Cavities under damp woods
• pile of leaves
• Toads like compost heaps too

Note: In autumn, many frogs and toads wander around looking for a suitable place to hibernate. In doing so, they also cross roads. During this time of year, pay special attention to these endangered animals so that they are not run over.

Winter in the water

The water frog, the common frog and other pond frog species like it particularly humid and therefore hibernate in stagnant water whenever possible.

• the water must have sufficient depth
• Animals swim to the bottom of the water
• there are usually temperatures in the plus range, even when there is frost
• while the water surface freezes over
• dig themselves into the mud and become "invisible"
• Plant roots and algae are welcome screens from predators

Pool with low water level pose a potential danger to the animals if they get involved in the winter cold. Due to the shallow water depth, the frost can penetrate to the bottom and the frogs would freeze to death.

Note: Make ponds in your garden inaccessible to the frogs as early as autumn. A fine-meshed grid cover prevents the green hoppers from entering these unsuitable water points.

Breathing under the ice surface

As soon as the water in the pond is frozen, the frog is under it locked in. Although he is frozen in the winter, he still needs oxygen. There is only a small amount of this in the water. Is that enough for the frogs that hibernate in it? To make matters worse, lung breathing is not possible under water. Fortunately, the frog is two-pronged in this regard.

• can breathe with his lungs and through his skin
• its need for oxygen is high in summer
• then he is dependent on both types of breathing
• In the frozen pond only skin breathing is possible
• it is sufficient because the need for oxygen decreases with rigidity

Food is removed from the menu

Animals that are unable to move due to rigid winter conditions are forced to come to terms with an empty stomach. This is not so bad, because while they hibernate, their oxygen requirement is only a fraction of the usual amount. You have to get the fuel for breathing and the light heartbeat at times feed and hope that it will be enough. Because when the winter fat is completely consumed in the middle of winter, there is no replenishment within reach. This is one reason that many frogs do not welcome spring alive, especially in freezing cold winters.

Offer your own pond as a winter hotel

The garden pond at home may be a good winter shelter for water-loving frogs. It should be deep enough so that the water doesn't freeze all the way to the bottom.

• The minimum depth is 50 cm
• 80 cm or more is even better
• the deeper the pond, the warmer it stays at the bottom

Another factor that ensures survival is sufficient Oxygen supply during the freezing winter months. The amphibians have reduced their oxygen intake, but a basic supply must still be provided. This can be a problem, especially with designed ponds. For example, are these with Rotten sponge covered, additional oxygen is used up. It should be removed in the fall.

Other measures can improve the oxygen content:

• Installation of a permanently running filter / oxygen pump
• Reed grasses in the pond allow air to be exchanged
• Use of oxygen-producing underwater plants such as B. Horn leaf
• Removal of dead plant parts, leaves, etc.

If the garden pond is covered with a thick layer of ice in winter, the frogs below are in a frozen state. But even in this resting phase, they react to external disturbances. They then wake up briefly from the rigidity and consume an unnecessary amount of oxygen, which they could lack at a later point in time. Avoid You therefore that Break open the ice layer and other influences that can lead to the awakening of the winter guests.