Rocky Mountain Region

Amphibians are important components of ecosystems, providing food for birds, fish, and sometimes other amphibians. Amphibian persistence can signal habitat and water health – important metrics in monitoring how the natural world affects human health. Amphibian Week (May 4-10) is a celebration and recognition of amphibians, their role in the natural world, their contributions to human concerns and their status as historical, and current, cultural icons.

Although most of the frogs, toads, and salamanders in the Rocky Mountains are still cozy in their hibernacula for the winter, amphibian scientists are getting geared up for a new field season of studying and watching amphibians, and for Amphibian Week 2025!

What happens in winter – people: Often, organizations (like state and federal agencies, conservation groups or clubs) meet in the winter when focal animals may not be out and about. For example, in Colorado, the Boreal Toad Conservation Team, led by Colorado Parks and Wildlife meets in February to discuss last year’s field season and plan for research efforts and projects to help toads. This species is threatened in the State of Colorado, primarily because of declining populations and disease. The Conservation Team is made up of scientists and managers from state and federal agencies. There is also a Conservation Advisory Team, made up of scientists from other agencies and academic institutions (like USGS-ARMI) that help the Conservation Team formulate best practices and conservation actions that are scientifically and statistically sound. This group recently updated the Boreal toad conservation plan that can be found here BorealToadConservationPlan_October2023.pdf - Google Drive

What happens in winter – amphibians: In winter, amphibians are not typically active in places that have snow and ice, but the way they cope with those harsh conditions is fascinating. Many hibernate terrestrially (on the land), for example, some find a nice rodent burrow that is below the frost line to doze away the cold season. Others, like woodfrogs, might be deep under the leaf litter and frozen solid. This article from the National Park Service explains how Biological Miracle - Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service). Scientists at the USGS’ Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) study what happens during winter to better understand the effects of things like drought, changes in winter temperatures, or changes in snowpack, on amphibian populations (e.g., Chilled Frogs are Hot: Hibernation and Reproduction of the Endangered Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa); Effects of Snowpack, Temperature, and Disease on Demography in a Wild Population of Amphibians; Winter severity affects occupancy of spring- and summer-breeding anurans across the eastern United States). Other amphibians, like leopard frogs or Columbia spotted frogs hibernate under the mud at the bottom of a pond that doesn’t freeze all the way to the bottom (Columbia 1).

Despite the calendar, maybe you are looking forward to spring. Hearing a frog call as a first indicator of spring is special, and knowing who is doing the calling is even better! The U.S. Geological Survey, many states, and some museums, have examples of calls or even apps to help you identify frog calls (FrogID App - Apps | Queensland Museum, ARMI - Frog and Toad Calls, Through the Eyes and Ears of ARMI - ARMI).

And, get ready for an Amphibian Walk! In Fort Collins, Colorado, there will be guided walks on May 7 and May 10, 2025). Pull on your waders and visit a local natural area with a “frogologist” from Colorado State University, where you (hopefully) will see and hear some local amphibians.

Other events in the Rocky Mountain Region (so far):

--Fort Collins, CO: Wetland and amphibian art exhibit and celebration of amphibian week. 8 May at Wolverine Farm Publick House, Wolverine Farm.

--Missoula, MT: Washington Middle School library highlights amphibians with displays and lessons from the amphibian collection at the school. 4-10 May.

Check out Amphibian Week - ARMI, Amphibian Week 2025 | PARC for other national and international events (in person and virtual).