Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am curious as to how frogs can live in severe winter conditions? Also, what makes them so differant to an African frog who will die in a climate that has winter conditions?

Really any frog will die in winter conditions if it's exposed to them. The frogs that can survive hibernate and slow their metabolisms way down so that they can withstand being for the most part out of the weather. An African Bullfrog is not used to the colder weather and would not survive it because it is from a climate that does not get that cold.

I believe one species of frog (possibly the wood frog???) has some sort of agent in its body that allows the frog to be almost frozen and to still reamin alive, though dormant. Many frogs hibernate or brumate in deep mud or soil that allows them to wait out the most hostile conditions of the year. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

African Bullfrogs hibernate. Is it because they don't know to dig deep enough in the winter to hibernate that will kill them

African Bullfrogs don't actually hibernate they estivate and brumate at different times of the year, tehy do this when it's too hot or when the water dries up. They eclose themselves in a mucous membrane that holds in water so tehy can survive in the harsh climate of Africa.

As well, brumating has nothing to do with temperature. Pyxicephalus brumates due to the arid conditions. They do dig deep though, make no mistake about that. They can not survive cold winters simply due to the fact that they are not from temperate regions. The cold is just not something they can survive, though I am sure both species can survive some degree of cool temperatures (as both lower Argentina and lower South Africa probably get some cool weather). Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

I remember marc saying that we don't have to worry that much about keeping it wet because they are from dry area as well, or my friend had misread it somehow and his frog dried and die during winter when it was brumating. I think he forgot to mention that to keep it a little moist. And I think you said not bone dried...I don't really remember...so I told my friend don't blame it all on me that I directed him to this site...my frog nearly dried up too, but my friend's was dead first so I put in the water bowl to rehydrated and it was OK and I gave it away for a tarantula. Thank God!!!

Thanks everyone for all the great info! It has really helped. Actually, my African Bullfrog hibernates (or brum..what ever that word is) when it's cold. This past year he hibernated about 10 months. He woke up maybe one time, ate a little then went back into it. It took him a long time to come out of it. I practically had to force him to start eating again.

In the summer I keep him in a pen outside so he can bury himself real good. I know it's illegal to let them go, but it seems he would be so much happier. I wish I could take him back to Africa.

If you don't want him send him to me. All my frogs are very happy. I have plenty of experience with them. And they are on my want to breed list.

Where are you located?