Hi Steve,

In the days when Bellfrogs (or "Swamp Frogs" as they were then known) were common, on a number of occasions I found them over-wintering beneath dense damp mats of dead Typha that lay on the muddy bottoms of dried-up ponds or non-perrenial streams. I also found them in earth-cracks along the banks of creeks, where they appeared to be dormant, and they could often be found amongst rocks around the foundations of bridges over creeks. Most of the time I uncovered them while searching for snakes, so really my observations were just opportunistic, rather than the result of any serious research project on the species. I think they seemed to shelter in pretty much the same places during winter as in the warmer months, because although they could move a considerable distance in search of breeding sites (ie a suitable water body), they seemed to occupy a site for long periods (years) as well - until of course they just disappeared almost everywhere virtually overnight. During the milder winters you could on occasion find them active, so I don't think they are hibernators in the true sense...they just become dormant when the conditions become unfavourable - temperature and humidity of course being major considerations in their behaviour. During the hot, dry summers in eastern Australia, when much of their habitat dries up, they would also just disappear presumably aestivating - until the usual summer thunderstorms kicked in and replenished the creeks and ponds, when they would emerge in vast numbers to breed. I have my own particular theory on why they crashed, and although the dreaded chytrid has undoubtedly had an impact on this and other frogs, I believe this came onto the scene AFTER the species had already begun to drastically decline...and more or less mopped them up the survivors. Anyway, if you want more on this...let me know...



Regards



Richard Wlls

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