While most Northern American frogs hibernate through the winter, there are some species of frogs, indigenous to harsher climates, that engage in a process referred to as estivation in response to extreme weather conditions.įor instance, the African Bullfrog is known for estivation throughout seasons of hot, dry weather. While they usually remain still for the duration of winter, they may occasionally swim around a little before returning to their chosen place on top of the mud. Instead of breathing during hibernation, aquatic frogs survive by the water’s oxygen content naturally seeping through their bodies. Well, aquatic frogs need to seek out a source of water that has a rich supply of oxygen to carry them through the winter. Sure, frogs and tadpoles have gills, but that’s an awful long time to stay underwater! Now, this may leave you wondering how the frogs manage to breathe while they spend several months relaxing at the bottom of a pond.
Instead of burrowing deeply underneath the mud at the bottom of a lake, as turtles are known to do, aquatic frogs will lie directly on top of the mud to avoid suffocation. Aquatic Frogs Hibernate in the Water Throughout the WinterĪquatic frogs, such as the American Bullfrog, also have interesting hibernation tactics, but their exact technique of underwater winter survival may be slightly surprising.
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