FROGWATCH
www.cnf.ca/frog
Girls can have fun looking for and learning about frogs while helping scientists learn about global warming! In partnership with Environment Canada's Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network, Frogwatch asks citizens to report on frog mating calls and sightings during the spring and summer mating period. The data collected by nature-watchers will be used by scientists to help identify changes in Canadian ecosystems due to global warming and climate change. Warming trends can affect yearly cycles and events such as frog mating, flower booming, and the duration of ice cover on local lakes and rivers. By reporting on these events, Guides can be the eyes and ears of scientists to help discover changes that may be occurring in their local ecosystem. To receive a free survey kit and information package, including a colourful poster or guidebook of the species found in your area, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with 94 cents postage to Naturewatch, Canadian Nature Federation, 606-1 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7B7. You can also check out Naturewatch on-line at http://naturewatch.ca.
DID YOU KNOW?
Frog bones form a new ring every year when the frog is hibernating, just like trees do. Scientists can count these rings to discover the age of the frog.
One type of desert frog can wait as long as seven years for water by surrounding itself in a type of transparent bag that becomes its first meal once the rain comes.
In recent years, a painkiller with 200 times the power of morphine has been found in the skin of a frog.
Frogs cannot live in the sea or any salt water. Research has shown that Ammonium Nitrate (a fertilizer) can cause agonizing death for frogs. This fertilizer is spread on fields in the spring when frogs are migrating. Frogs suffer a massive toxic attack if they come in contact with it.
Frogs usually eat meat (bugs and worms) and swallow their food whole.
The eyes and nose of a frog are on top of its head so it can breathe and see when most of its body is under the water.
Frogs absorb water through their skin so they don't need to drink.
These "Did You Know" facts are from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council's "Hop to It!" frog pages. Check out their froggy crosswords, jokes, stories and more at www.ipcc.ie/froglinks.html