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About the song
Meet the wood frog, an amphibian that can freeze through winter and thaw back to life when spring returns.
Learn how wood frogs survive freezing temperatures with natural antifreeze chemistry and seasonal dormancy.
FAQs
Can wood frogs really freeze and come back?
Yes. During winter, much of a wood frog's body can freeze while vital cells are protected. When temperatures rise, the frog thaws and becomes active.
How does a wood frog survive freezing?
Its body uses cryoprotectants such as glucose and urea. These chemicals help protect cells while ice forms in spaces outside many cells.
Does the frog's heart stop?
During deep freezing, breathing and heartbeat can stop for a time. The frog stays dormant until warming lets its body systems restart.
Why is this adaptation useful?
Freezing tolerance lets wood frogs survive cold northern winters under leaves and snow instead of migrating or staying active when food is scarce.