May 24, 2009 - Froggy Nights

Welcome to the Nature Notebook.

As the days grow warmer a familiar sound issues from ponds and lakes. This deep-pitched jug-o’-rum call is, of course, easily recognizable as coming from a bullfrog, These largest of our native frogs spend the winter months buried in the cold mud, emerging as waters warm. Breeding season lasts from May through July in the northern part of its range. Bull frogs are territorial and males protect their space through calls, displays, chases and wrestling with rivals. Bullfrog calls can carry more than a quarter of a mile on a quiet night. Females tend to choose males with territories that have the most food. Since bullfrogs are mostly nocturnal, their calls are part of the rural soundscape on a hot night. That nighttime serenade is a sure sign that summer is here.

This is PPL's naturalist, Jon Beam, with the Nature Notebook for WVIA.