Featured Process:  Frogsicles   

Quite soon, buried in shallow soil beneath leaf litter, some frogs will turn into frogsicles.  As the temperature plummets, Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers, among others, fill their cells with glycerol, a natural antifreeze derived from sugar.  This allows more than half the water in a frog to freeze, without disrupting cells, tissues or organs.  Breathing and heartbeat stop as they become little blocks of ice, which can thaw and become active again in as little as an hour. 

Here are some other nifty ways that amphibians and reptiles get through the winter:

Other Happenings:

• At this time of year bat species such as the Little Brown Bat are also moving into safe areas like caves and mines for their long winter hibernation. Many people feel that bats are creepy and scary but in reality these amazing creatures are nature’s superheroes of insect control.  Their immense appetite for flying pests such as moths and mosquitoes helps support a healthy environment by reducing the need for insecticides.

  Invasive Alert!

• Unfortunately, North American bat species are under attack by a nasty and fast-moving invasive microbe. White nose syndrome is caused by a fungus that originated in Europe known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans (formerly Geomyces destructans).  This fungus grows and thrives in the humid cool conditions of the caves where bats gather.  Researchers believe the fungus interrupts the hibernation process by irritating the skin. This causes the bats to awaken and use their fat reserves, leading to starvation and death. White nose syndrome was first found in eastern Canada in 2010 and has quickly ravaged bat populations in NB, NS, Quebec and ON to the point where three of our most common bat species (Little Brown Bat, Northern Myotis and Tri-colored Bat) are now endangered. There are now reasons for optimism.  Bat numbers are increasing in some of the caves where White-nose was first discovered, perhaps an early sign that bats can adapt to the disease.  However, it has been found in Washington state, 2100 km further west than previously found, as well as in Newfoundland, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, supporting the notion that people can spread the syndrome.  It is up to all of us to help protect these remarkable flying mammals. Report unusual bat sightings like daytime flying in winter.  You could also take action by building and installing a bat house that creates summer habitat for these night creatures who provide us with free pest control services!