Frozen..

Where do frogs go in winter?

The frogs hibernate in burrows or bury themselves in mud. Toads and frogs are cold-blooded and their body processes slow down as the outside temperature drops. This is why you sometimes find frogs sunning themselves in the spring. Their body temp needs to rise for them to move well. Frogs' bodies have some natural antifreeze chemicals built into them, but a few kinds of frogs who live in especially cold climates can even survive being frozen solid Wood frogs,see picture, are the most widely found frogs above the Arctic Circle. In the winter it can get so cold that you would probably rather be at home with a cup of hot cocoa! These frogs have found some very interesting ways to adapt to this cold weather.
When the temperatures start to drop, Wood Frogs will go buries itself and then shuts itself down.
The Wood Frogs are one of serveral species that have the amazing ability to completely freeze solid!
They stay frozen for as long as the temperature of the ground is below freezing. They have no choice. They are the exact temperature of the environment they are in. When they thaw out, it's like an icecube coming to life!
The first thing that happens when they thaw is the heart starts beating again. Then they start gulping air and shaking out their limbs. Finally, the when the frog is fully recovered, he can hop away!
Why is this important? Just think what it could mean for people if we could develope drugs that do the same thing for humans!