Yes. During Minnesota winters the frogs and toads become dormant, hibernating either in the aquatic vegetation of lakes and ponds, under the water, or under leaf litter on the ground. For example, the Northern Leopard Frog and the Mink Frog will spend the winter swimming slowly under the ice, in the water of lakes, ponds and streams. The Wood Frog and the Spring Peeper can withstand partial freezing of body fluids buried under leaf little on the woodland floor.

They squeeze their lungs with their nostrils and mouth shut. Air flows over their vocal chords and into their vocal sacs located on their throat, which then blow up like balloons. There are some frogs that can make noises without vocal sacs.

Opossums do not hibernate. Their greatest challenge during winter, especially in colder climates, is simply to survive. Very often opossums will alter their foraging habits during winter, coming out during the day when it is warmer rather than at night. It is not uncommon for opossums in northern regions to suffer frostbite during extremely cold periods. Their tails are particularly susceptible to frostbite as they have no fur covering to protect them.

Toads and frogs are attracted to damp gardens and ponds. Leave shelved edges along pond edges with pond lilys and plants such as marsh marigold. Piles of logs or bricks are good for amphibians to spend hot days and attract insects for them to feed on.

No. As tadpoles, frogs and toads can be both herbivores (plant eating) and carnivores (meat eating). As adults, frogs and toads are carnivores, eating insects. But, not all frogs and toads eat only insects. The Spiny Reed frog is an african frog that is known to prey on the eggs of members of its own species. This is called heterocannibalism. Click here for more information on the Spiny Reed frog.

of 1994, there are 3,500 species of the order Anura (frogs and toads) of which 80 species are found in the United States. In Minnesota there are 14 native species of Anura.

Not successfully. Some males are nonselective of mates and will mount other males, which will give a warning noise for the other to release its grasp.

Depending on the species, between 2 to 40 years! The average age for a frog or toad is about 4 to 15 years.

Frogs and toads will sit very still with their eyes closed. The assumption is that they are asleep, but it is not clear how long they sleep per day.

Most frogs and toads breathe (and take in moisture) through their skin through a process called cutaneous gas exchange, but they also have lungs with which they breathe.

There are a number of frogs and toads that can change color, depending on the temperature or substrate. In the US the best known example is the Gray Tree Frogs which regularly change from bright green to gray. For more information check Mattison's Frogs and Toads of the World.

Yes, one of the few characteristics that the three living orders of amphibians (frogs, toads, etc) share is 'jointed' or 'hinged' teeth.

Frogs and toads are terms that originated in the United Kingdom to describe their frog diversity. In this part of the world, it is a simple difference. They have a frog and a toad species. So, the description of a typical "frog" and "toad" is regional. Toads are a type of frog and in many tropical areas Toad Family members look like a typical frog, with thin skin and live in moist habitats.

There are historical accounts of frogs falling from the sky, but these events are accompanied by terrific wind storms. Click here for more information.

Whenever trying to I.D. frogs and toads, take a look at pictures and descriptions in various sources (field guides, web sites, encyclopedia, etc.). Since there can be a lot of color or pattern variation in some species, viewing a lot of different photos will may help you to see the variety. Also, read about other characteristics besides color. Often, these other characteristics are more reliable for identifying the species than its color.

Different species of frogs and toads have different ways of reducing water loss. Most frogs and toads live in habitats that provide access to some sort of water body. The frogs and toads will then spend time in the water 'replenishing' any water they have lost. However, there are some frogs and toads that have unique methods of dealing with water loss. For example, the Water-holding Frog from South Australia lives in the desert and spends most if its time underground.

Several terms have been used for winter dormancy in black bears, including "hibernation", "winter sleep", "torpor", or "carnivorean lethargy". The confusion arises because biologists may use the same term in different ways. "Hibernation" has sometimes been defined based upon body temperature and the animal's ability to react to external stimuli. Ground squirrels and other so-called "true hibernators" have hibernating body temperatures approaching 32º F.

I can't stress this enough! Definitely some species do ok together, but in many cases this can have deadly consequences! One visitor wrote me with an anecdote about having a Firebellied Toad and a Pac Man Frog in the same tank.

Bears usually den up when the food sources are depleted, the snow begins to fall and they are fat enough to make it through the winter without food. The word "hibernate" is controversial in scientific circles.

The very first night you hear them calling, grab a flashlight and head for the sound. There will be more out there than you and the amphibians, so watch for rattlesnakes. You'll probably end up at a temporary rain pond. Now the real fun begins. You have to catch one. If you had a deprived childhood and never learned frog-catching skills, this may take a while. Hint: sometimes it helps to shine your flashlight in their faces.