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Muskoka Heritage Foundation
I am sure that if asked to name an animal evocative of this area, frogs,
toads and salamanders would not be named... too bad because they
are a fascinating and underappreciated component of our natural
environment here!
Frogs, toads and salamanders are amphibians, a group of coldblooded
animals which lay eggs and are characterized by moist skin.
They absorb water and oxygen through their skin, although most
use lungs as well. They are referred to as having “two lives” because
they are completely aquatic as tadpoles and terrestrial as adults.
In this part of Ontario, we have
10 species of frogs and toads and 7
species of salamanders. This low species
diversity is because only those species
able to hibernate through our long
freezing winters are able to survive here.
In the True Frog family, common
local species include the ubiquitous
wood frog, northern leopard frog,
green frog and bullfrog. Wood frogs
are often called “robber” frogs because
they have a black mask across their
eyes. Green frogs can be confused
with bullfrogs except that bullfrogs
are much larger and green frogs have
folds down their backs. The call of
Muskoka Heritage
Foundation
adult bullfrogs, which sounds like “jug-of-rum,” is commonly heard
throughout the summer. Uncommon True Frogs include pickerel and
mink frogs.
The Tree Frog group includes spring peepers, gray treefrog and
western chorus frog. This group of frogs is interesting because they
have discs on the tips of their toes which allow them to climb vertical
surfaces. Gray treefrogs may be found at night clinging to an outside
wall near a light, feasting on the insects attracted there. Spring peepers
are aptly named as they congregate at ponds in the early spring even
before the ice is gone, where the males emit their distinctive earpiercing
peeps.
We are all familiar with our only species of toad – the American
toad. Toads can live quite happily near our homes and gardens, where
they find their favourite foods: insects, slugs and worms. Toads are a
preferred food of an at-risk reptile, the eastern hog-nosed snake.
My youngest daughter used to refer to rotten logs in the forest as
salamanders because that is what we turned over to find them. Blue-
[ By Jan McDonnell ]
spotted and spotted (which have yellow spots) salamanders are
common but secretive as they are both nocturnal and spend much
of their time in leaf litter or, as mentioned, in rotten logs. Another
group of salamanders found in our area are called lungless and for
good reason – adults have no lungs but get oxygen through their
moist skins. Northern two-toed, four-toed and eastern red-backed
salamanders are locally found as well.
Eastern newt and mudpuppies are also part of the salamander
family. Newts are interesting because adults of this species return to
the water after a terrestrial juvenile
stage. The juveniles are called efts and
the loss of forests and
are bright red. Mudpuppies are the
wetlands is substantial in largest salamander in Canada and live
many parts of the world in deep water habitats.
We can’t have a discussion about
amphibians without mentioning global
declines. Habitat loss is an important
reason – the loss of forests and
wetlands is substantial in many parts
of the world. Chemical contaminants
cause deformities and other problems.
Climate change contributes because
amphibians are so sensitive to small
changes in temperature and moisture;
destruction of the ozone layer results
in the increased UV radiation which is harmful to amphibians.
Globally, it is thought that 1/3 of the world’s species are threatened
and extinctions within the last 20 years have been rampant.
So what can we do about this issue? I recommend learning
more about it. The internet is an obvious source and there are
some excellent books out there, including The ROM Field Guide to
Amphibians and Reptiles of Ontario. Become an advocate for habitat
protection – even tiny wetlands can provide habitat for a variety of
species. Lastly, start learning more about climate change to figure out
ways to reduce your footprint.
For 24 years, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation has
protected, conserved and nurtured the area’s natural
and cultural environment for the benefit of future
generations. You can help us conserve Muskoka’s
environment: become a member, make a donation,
leave a legacy. For more info contact 705-645-7393 ext.
200 or visit www.muskokaheritage.org
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