Spring brings not just the first blossoms, but also a busy time for frogs: their migration to spawning grounds! After spending the winter on dry land, driven by instinct, frogs make their way to breeding sites like ponds, old riverbeds, lakes, and other aquatic environments.
The majority of amphibians hibernate on land, finding shelter in adiverse locations such as various cracks, tree stumps, under roots, beneath fallen trees, deep inside burrows made by rodents and moles, in piles of branches or compost, and even in the basements of buildings.
During spring, amphibians make their way to breeding sites. This involves traveling considerable distances and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way: highways, pathways, and busy thoroughfares.
Many migrating amphibians die in burnt meadows, by falling into pits, and by becoming prey for raccoon dogs, foxes, and hedgehogs. Furthermore, the ashes left in old burn sites are lethally dangerous, as they can adversely affect the animal’s delicate skin.
Why do we have to protect these animals?
Amphibians play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. They are integral to food webs, helping to control populations of blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes, midges, horseflies, and other flies, which in turn limits the transmission of diseases. Furthermore, their tadpoles contribute significantly by consuming algae, which reduces harmful algal blooms in water bodies.
Globally, a staggering one-third of amphibian species are facing extinction, with various amphibian populations declining at an alarming rate. Due to their unique body structure and specialized lifestyle, amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental changes.
In Lithuania, there are 13 species of amphibians, 5 of which are listed in the Lithuanian Red Data Book.
The primary reasons for amphibian decline are a lack of suitable habitats, various diseases, and challenging migration routes.
Here’s how we can help:
Only our good intentions, actions, and attention to these small creatures of nature will help them reach their final destination. We can drive more carefully on roads, install protective fences along roadsides, carry frogs to the other side of the road, and build underpasses that ensure safe passage beneath the road.
