Amphibians are an indicator species. The presence of a viable population of amphibians in the fen indicates that this is a healthy ecosystem.
If you look carefully you may see the developmental stages, or metamorphosis, of amphibians. As soon as the ground warms, frogs, toads and salamanders return to ponds and slow-moving waterways to reproduce. In shallow waters, they congregate to mate. Salamanders have no mating call; however, frogs and toads are noticeably vocal when calling a mate. Their calls vary and include high-pitched peeps, trills and croaks.
In early spring, eggs appear. Frog and salamander eggs are jelly masses; toad eggs are in strings. The eggs hatch into aquatic tadpoles which have gills and feed on algae. The larvae go through a partial metamorphosis gradually changing into a terrestrial air-breathing adult. Depending on the species, this can take weeks or even years.
You may see the following amphibians in the fen:
Friends of
Glengarry Trails Association
L’Association des
amis des sentiers
de Glengarry
P.O. Box 108,
Alexandria, Ontario,
K0C 1A0
info@glengarrytrails.com
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