Frogs at Rash Field proves a ribbeting time for all
Above: Jessica Nelson from The National Aquarium showing children a rehabilitated tree frog.
Frogs with Friends
was our 5th Wildlife Gardening Workshop at Rash Field Park!
We talked with herpetologist Jessica Nelson about all things froggy! Jessica is the assistant curator of the Australia exhibit at the National Aquarium and is an expert insect identifier, tree frog rehabilitator, and scientist who showed us where to look for frogs that may be hiding at Rash Field.
We started with an insect search and identification, followed by demonstrations of frog adobes (made from terra cotta flower pots) and frog hotels made stones and pvc pipe!
American bullfrog - Eastern cricket frog -
Northern leopard frog - Barking treefrog - Carpenter frog - Cope's gray treefrog -
Gray treefrog -
Upland chorus frog - Eastern narrow-mouthed toad -
Pickerel frog - Eastern spadefoot - Spring peeper - Mountain chorus frog -
Green frog - Fowler's toad - American toad -
American bullfrog - Eastern cricket frog - Northern leopard frog - Barking treefrog - Carpenter frog - Cope's gray treefrog - Gray treefrog - Upland chorus frog - Eastern narrow-mouthed toad - Pickerel frog - Eastern spadefoot - Spring peeper - Mountain chorus frog - Green frog - Fowler's toad - American toad -
Fun Froggie Facts
So Many Species!
There are 21 species of frogs and toads in Maryland, including 20 native species and 1 introduced species (the Northern Leopard Frog). Maryland is also home to one poisonous frog. The Pickerel frog's skin secretions are toxic to some predators and can irritate humans.
Close your eyes and down the hatch!
Frogs and toads use their eyeballs to help them swallow food! While swallowing, a frog’s eyes actually retract down into their mouths to HELP PUSH DOWN THEIR FOOD!
True Bugs
Technically, a lots of insects that frogs eat are not “true bugs”! Unlike a lot of insects, true bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis – egg, adult-like nymph, and winged adult. True bugs also have specialized mouth-parts (stylets), that are shaped like straws or needles which they use to suck fluid from plants & animals. Their mouths can’t be rolled up like bees or butterflies.
Why don’t frogs and toads freeze in the winter?
Toads can dig deep enough to get below the frost line, which is usually at least 20 inches deep. They can move up and down as the frost line changes.
Frogs and toads can also enter a sleep-like state called brumation. Their metabolism slows down and they produce an antifreeze-like substance. This substance prevents ice crystals from forming intheir cells. They may partially freeze, stop breathing, or even stop their hearts from beating during the coldest months. When temperatures rise in the spring, their hearts and brains thaw first, followed by the rest of their bodies.
What can you do to invite frogs and toad to your home garden?
We’re so glad that dozens of Baltimoreans asked this very question!
Native Plants
Plant native perennials and trees that provide habitat, food, and shelter. Some plant suggestions for this fall include Amsonia, Asters, Joe Pye Weed, Coneflowers, Goldenrod, and tall grasses!
Where to get these plants, you ask? Try visiting our friends at the Herring Run Nursery on Hillen Road.
https://herringrunnursery.bluewaterbaltimore.org
Love Your Bugs!
Learn to love your friendly, beneficial insects to provide delicious food for them! Encourage centipedes, millipedes, earwigs, ladybugs,
spiders, springtails, snails, and worms to hang around your gardens! Leave the leaves and dead wood, and eliminate pesticides.
Make Some Habitat!
Try building “habitat features” for the urban garden – like insect hotels, birdhouses and feeders, toad adobes, and frog hotels! Look here for some inspiring ideas on How to build a frog hotel or toad Abode!
http://www.springfieldlakesnaturecare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/
2020/05/Frog-Hotel-Instructions.pdf
