Freshwater Creatures – At Least Someone’ Enjoying the Rain!
Summer’s arrival can only mean one thing: a chorus of animal songs long after the sun has set. Peepers, toads, and tree frogs alike can be heard late into the evening and into the early morning. It’s their breeding season, so many have moved from the tree line into fields, marshes, and other areas close to water, where they lay their eggs.
The word amphibian comes from Greek and means “double life,” referring to their multi-stage life cycle and the transition between their aquatic and terrestrial stages. Georgia, in particular, has a wealth of amphibians, with more than 80 native species calling it home. Some common ones you may see (or hear!) this month are green treefrogs, leopard frogs, and the characteristically orange-striped eastern newt.
Despite their size, these little guys have a big impact. Amphibians and reptiles are an important part of healthy forests and waterways, and they can serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Because many amphibians are especially sensitive to changes in their habitat, they are valuable for environmental monitoring. These studies help inform conservation efforts throughout a region, and many important conservation initiatives have begun with surveys of local amphibian and reptile populations.
Georgia, and the Piedmont region, where Atlanta and Blue Heron Nature Preserve is located, in particular experienced rapid urban expansion in the 1990s. This urbanization, along with agricultural expansion, significantly altered the landscape and ecological conditions. Since then, many species have adapted to life alongside people, but living so close to human activity continues to present challenges. Like many conversation efforts, the best method we have of supporting our slimy friends begins with education.
Did You Know?
Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River. It has 70,150 miles of streams and rivers, over 425,000 acres of lakes, and over 4,500,000 acres of freshwater wetlands.
Georgia is also considered one of the richest states in the nation for amphibian diversity, with more than 80 native species. Our abundant streams, wetlands, forests, and five distinct physiographic provinces create a remarkable variety of habitats for frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians.
It’s also important to remember that while we love exploring the outdoors and learning about our natural world firsthand, we should be especially careful when handling amphibians. If possible, avoid handling them altogether. If it is necessary, wear clean, disposable gloves or thoroughly wet and muddy your hands before making contact. Amphibians survive the hot Georgia summers with a thin, protective mucus layer that helps keep their skin moist and allows them to absorb water and oxygen through their skin. When we handle them incorrectly, we can accidentally transfer sunscreen, insect repellent, soaps, lotions, or even the natural oils from our hands, which can damage this protective coating or expose them to harmful chemicals. Because amphibians are so small and have highly permeable skin, even tiny amounts of these substances can be harmful—or even fatal—to our little neighbors.