+Final Report for Frog 5, Test A

The first four days of this trial in my experiment were dedicated to the acclimation process: Frog 5 (aka Lil’ Piggy) was left to adjust to the new conditions similar to the breeding season (49-54F temperatures and 50-75% humidity). The frog adjusted to the experimental surroundings smoothly and did not seem to display any signs of major stress. However, the frog did not eat consistently as usual. Despite this fact, the frog maintained a good weight. Similar to Frog 6, Frog 5 buried itself into the moss and was sluggish in movements (i.e. slow to react).

*After the acclimation process, the frog was then exposed to a series of Wood frog vocalizations for three days. These calls were played during 11:00am to 1:00pm and during 10:00pm to 12:00am. These are the times in which Wood frog vocalization is most active during the mating season, in late April and early May here in Fairbanks, AK. During this time the following observations were noted:*

•Day 5 12/02/11: Frog remained hidden in moss. Given 2 dusted crickets; 1 seen eaten. 11a-1p report: No phonotaxis was observed; the frog remained hidden throughout the test. No vocalization observed or recorded. 10p-12a report: Before the test began, I located frog in the moss (was found on the left side of tank) and he was disturbed from hiding. At 11:28p, the frog changed location but not in direction of sound source. No vocalization was recorded.

•Day 6 12/03/11: Frog was visible but partially hidden. 11a-1p report: Frog did not display signs of phonotaxis. One call (vocalization) was recorded on video camera and recorder. Call was given in between 12:20p and 1:00p during the first tracks of the CD (2nd play). Temp was 52F and hum was 50%. 10p-12a report: No phonotaxis observed and no vocalizations observed either.

•Day 7 12/04/11: Frog is same location as yesterday. Not much movement observed. 11a-1p report: Frog did not display signs of phonotaxis. No calls were given either. However, frog vomited or did something similar to the gesture in between 11 and 12p. 10p-12a report: No phonotaxis was observed/recorded and no vocalizations were observed either.

What are my thoughts: This frog showed more results than Frog 5; however, the barometric pressure probably had an effect on the results. During the three days in which the frog was exposed to the recordings, it snowed heavily, rained, outside temperatures increased to 30-45F due to a Chinook, and winds were up to 55-60mph (quite a contrast to the calm weather conditions experienced during the test with Frog 6). I would also like to note that—based on the observations thus far—that the frog(s) may think it’s time to hibernate, based on the fact that they are brought into colder conditions then they are used to. This could be an explanation as to why they do not vocalize or display signs of phonotaxis.