Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cool Animal of the Week #3- Wood Frog

The Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) is found throughout the northeastern United States, Alaska and Canada. It's distinguished by the "black mask: it had behind its eyes.

While other frogs are not tolerant to freezing temperatures, and therefore hibernate and take refuge in the soil or leaf litter, the Wood Frog can tolerate freezing temperatures. In fact, it can freeze solid.


.The Wood Frog has what are called glycoproteins in its blood that act as an antifreeze in cold weather. If it gets cold enough, the water will get pulled out of the cells and the frog will freeze. Solid. The heart will stop beating and it will appear as if life ceases to exist. Until the temperature warms up, the frog thaws out and continues to hop along.
Here's a cool video about the freezing of wood frogs:











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