Friends of the Forest Preserves

By May, most amphibian species in Cook County have begun breeding. Throughout the forest preserves and beyond, toads, frogs, and salamanders spend the winter hiding under logs, in rotten wood, or in any hidden crevice with protection from the cold. Some frogs, like the Wood Frog, can even freeze solid in the winter and be fine after thawing out. Once temperatures reach around 45F in the early spring, the first amphibians emerge from hibernation, marking the beginning of mating season. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are among the first to begin calling, in the hopes of attracting a mate. At some forest preserve locations, the sound of calling frogs can be deafening! Most amphibian species around Chicago lay their eggs in small ponds that dry out by the summer. Therefore, the health of these amphibians is tied to the health of the ephemeral ponds.