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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 WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 37
Arowhon Pines Lorren Cross The area of Huntsville, Lake of Bays & Algonquin Park is dotted with a variety of accommodations If you are planning a trip to Huntsville, Lake of Bays or Algonquin Park, be it for a vacation, a business trip or just to appease your adventurelust, there are a few key points to consider when deciding where to stay. Here are a few ideas to help: First, you must know the purpose of your trip. You may say it is something as general as a vacation or a business trip, but it is good to be more specific with what you want. You may be traveling on business, but you may also want to relax or explore the wonderful area of Huntsville, Lake of Bays & Algonquin Park. You may want a vacation, but do you want to try something adventurous or do you just want to relax at a spa? Deciding on these things will help you plan where to stay, and possibly save you time and money since you can choose the right accommodation that can cater to all your needs. Holiday Inn Express Draw up a budget table with possible projections on how much you would want to spend on your accommodations. Think of the services you want to enjoy while away and account for extra transportation costs if necessary. The area of Huntsville, Lake of Bays & Algonquin Park is dotted with a variety of accommodations, from family-operated lodges and resorts, cozy bed and breakfast homes, cottage rentals, and full amenity hotels and resorts. Outdoor enthusiasts relish the natural beauty of the many area campgrounds as they drift off to sleep under a blanket of stars. Contact the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce or visit our website www. huntsvilleadventures.com for a full list of accommodations in North Muskoka. WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 39
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Page 3 and 4: Susan Brown COVER ART ‘Algonquin
Page 6 and 7: Terri Rilling On the trail in Algon
Page 9 and 10: Huntsville Festival of the Arts Cel
Page 11 and 12: Kelly Holinshead Town of Huntsville
Page 13 and 14: Kelly Holinshead [ Spectacular ways
Page 15 and 16: Kelly Holinshead [[ Take the Plunge
Page 17 and 18: Town of Huntsville Kelly Holinshead
Page 19 and 20: All photos by Don McCormick Are you
Page 21 and 22: All photos Mike Redwood Dara Howell
Page 23 and 24: Kelly Holinshead On a winter mornin
Page 25 and 26: Kelly Holinshead One century ago, a
Page 27 and 28: Deerhurst Resort Muskoka Heritage P
Page 29 and 30: Kelly Holinshead Downtown Huntsvill
Page 31 and 32: FOR ALL YOUR HOME & COTTAGE NEEDS..
Page 33 and 34: Deerhurst Resort Kelly Holinshead T
Page 35 and 36: ... continued from page 25 During t
Page 37: Muskoka Heritage Foundation I am su
Page 41 and 42: MUSKOKA FRACTIONAL COTTAGE OWNERSHI
Page 43 and 44: Outdoor hot tub, sauna, Outdoor hot
Page 45 and 46: Kelly Holinshead Kelly Holinshead W
Page 47 and 48: Where else can you explore Tom Thom

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