In Kokhanok, Alaska, the absence of swamp (wood) frogs raises concerns about cause and potential environmental disruptions.
On the last Sunday in April, I received a brief but exciting message. “Frogs are singing,” Barbara Carlson notified me.
This is the quietest spring I’ve experienced. It’s not my hearing. The Merlin app is hardly picking any bird songs up.
There is a worldwide epidemic of deformed amphibians and the frequency of affected animals is higher in Alaska than in most parts of the United States. Wood frogs have been turning up in Alaska with abnormal legs and jaws, sometimes even with extra legs.
Above average winter precipitation may have contributed to high winter survival rates among wood frogs, which emerged during warm spring temperatures.
Wood frog sighted on trail.
Spotted half a dozen wood frogs crossing Roland Road, Fairbanks. Those that were run over by cars were females loaded with eggs.
First toad sighting in years.
Hot weather for wood frogs.
It’s not always lethal, but the fungus has decimated frog populations around the world and is thought to be responsible for up to 90 extinctions. Researchers aren’t sure how it got to Alaska, but it has been observed here since the year 2000.
There were no bugs buzzing around the lights in the parking lot.
Observations From Members 