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What our animals are doing this month

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Paul Arestides, Transforming Lives Trainee

Happy New Year to you all. It’s January and the start of 2025, our weather doesn’t seem to be getting any more predictable and the warmer winters do have an impact on our amphibians and reptiles. These animals usually rest up over winter, either in the bottom of ponds, in rocky crevices or finding places underground to brumate, hidden away from cold or freezing conditions.

As the climate warms, however, we are noticing changes in behaviour. Our winters in the UK are now generally milder and can tempt amphibians and reptiles out of their brumation state. With reports of newts and frogs in ponds in January, even in full breeding condition, is now fairly normal in southern counties. Snakes and lizards will also make an appearance when the winter sun is strong enough, and all this would have been unheard of 15 or 20 years ago.

All the evidence is now pointing to our reptiles and amphibians emerging from their slowing-down period and breeding earlier than ever before, in response to our ever-changing climate.

It is still too early to predict the implications of these changes in behaviour, but a consequence of this has been on our reserve at Hampton with delayed pond maintenance due to the higher risk of harming our pond animals as they stay active for longer. This year we will be starting our great crested newt surveys earlier in response to breeding patterns.

With an unpredictable climate it can cause issues if newts, frogs or toads breed earlier with higher risks of frozen ponds,  spawn and eggs. Being more active over winter could also have negative impacts on our species life expectancy- using up energy reserves when they would normally be brumating. Food sources will be scarce over the winter months, so feeding becomes harder.

You can help us in our research by uploading your sightings of frogspawn or any amphibians and reptiles on our free Dragon Finder App – these records help us learn more about how our changing climate affects our species.

 

What our animals are doing to this month

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Written by Eve Goddard, Transforming Lives Trainee

Deep Sleep December

During the winter months, reptiles and amphibians – who are ectothermic – (regulate their body heat from the surrounding environment) need to minimise their movement and conserve energy to survive the winter.

After spending summer and autumn fattening up for winter, they will move into locations that protect them from the elements. This may be under a leaf pile, inside a tree hollow, under rocks or at the very bottom of a pond for example.

Once there they will overwinter or brumate. How it brumation different from hibernation? Overwintering or brumating involves periods of rest interspersed with feeding and small amount of movement, if the weather heats up this may prompt more prolonged activity.

Climate change and brumation.

The changes we see to our weather patterns, for example warmer winters have an immediate impact on reptiles and amphibians:

  • Leaving brumation earlier, at a time when the species they predate upon are less abundant.
  • Premature breeding or spawning may fall before the coldest weather has passed and effect reproductive success.
  • Rising temperatures produce longer growing seasons for the plants that need to be managed to maintain pond habitats.

With this in mind, there are many things you can do to help our reptiles and amphibians in the winter months, Click here for a great guide. If you are lucky enough to see one of our species on your winter walks, please don’t forget the Dragon Finder App where you can record your sightings and assist us further with our conservation work.  

What our animals are doing this month…

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Written by Emma Byrne, Transforming Lives Trainee. 

November is here, bringing with it shorter days and colder weather. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; it also marks the month of Bonfire night celebrations! Spectacular firework displays, children gleefully waving sparklers in the air, everyone wrapped up in warm coats enjoying burnt jacket potatoes and hot chocolates, whilst huddled round the campfire; there is much to look forward to!  

Wildlife are also beginning to feel the temperature drop and notice the shortening of daylight hours. Many mammals, such as hedgehogs and dormice, are now entering hibernation. Reptiles and amphibians on the other hand, don’t hibernate, but instead brumate.

Hibernation and brumation are both periods of dormancy where physiological processes decelerate in response to cold temperatures. Though closely related, hibernation and brumation still have marked differences, most notably the level of inactivity. During hibernation, mammals will fall into a deep sleep, where they don’t eat or drink. During brumation however, amphibians and reptiles still have periods of activity, when they take advantage of milder patches of weather to come out and forage.

One such amphibian is a Froglife favourite: the great crested newt. Throughout November, great crested newts will seek out shelter to over-winter in. This includes:

  • Old woodland
  • Scrub
  • Holes in the ground
  • Leaf and rock piles

How long they stay in the hibernacula depends on temperature. Newts usually emerge from brumation when temperatures reach over 5°C, so if it’s a little chillier than normal, they may take longer to appear. Great crested newts will continue to brumate until early spring.

Froglife wishes you a spectacular and safe Bonfire Night! If you choose to enjoy the dazzling displays and crackling bonfires in the comfort of your own garden, please remember to protect your garden wildlife. Ensure safety by setting up your bonfire pit away from compost heaps, and thoroughly checking for wildlife before lighting, as they will often use the heaps for shelter during hibernation and brumation.

You can find more tips on keeping wildlife safe during bonfire night here. 

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Charles Bonnett, Transforming Lives Trainee

As the autumn chill sets in and the warm summer days recede, our native amphibians and reptiles begin the next chapter of their yearly journey: seeking shelter in which to overwinter.

Our reptiles and amphibians are ‘ectothermic’, which refers to their inability to produce their own body heat, instead depending on external sources to regulate their body temperature. This differs from ‘endothermic’ animals – such as mammals – who are able to internally regulate their own body temperature despite changing external conditions.

This ectothermic, cold-blooded characteristic means that, as the autumn sets in, seeking shelter to protect themselves from the cold climate is of primary importance. It is during this period that amphibians and reptiles enter a state of reduced physiological activity, known as ‘brumation.’ This state of dormancy is similar to hibernation, in that both involve extended periods of reduced activity to control energy consumption; however, whilst hibernating animals enter a deep sleep for the duration of the dormancy, brumation includes periods of intermittent activity through warmer periods.

Amphibians mostly overwinter on land, though a minority may choose to do so in water. They can achieve this amazing feat due to the permeability of their skin, through which they can absorb water and oxygen; this permeability, however, means that amphibians require a moist environment. Amphibians may overwinter in abandoned mammal burrows, compost heaps, loose soil, under rocks, or the bottom of ponds. Reptiles prefer dryer environments in which to overwinter; this may include unused mammal burrows, dead tree stumps, or leaf litter.

There are many ways you can help our amphibians and reptiles as the chill arrives:

  • Build a hibernaculum to provide shelter for overwintering.
  • Prepare your garden to support any reptiles and amphibians which may visit.
  • Record any sightings on our free Dragon Finder App; any data is useful to help further understand the complex relationship between temperature and behaviour.

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Paul Arestides, Transforming Lives Trainee

Natterjack Toad

Image credit: Matt Wilson

The natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is very rare and smaller in size compared to our common toad. They are more olive green in colour, with a very distinguishing yellow stripe running along their backs. These toads are mainly nocturnal, so are best seen in the evenings as the sun is setting. It is also a pioneer species, meaning it is one of the first to set up a home in newly formed habitats like young sand dunes. They bury themselves in the warm, loose sand around pools during the day.

 

Did you know?

The natterjack toad is also known as the ‘running toad’ because they tend to run rather than walk or hop.

Their average lifespan is 10-15 years

Their length can be up to 8cm

 

Ecology

In springtime you’ll see gathering males in full chorus singing together attempting to attract a female. These calls can be heard up to a mile away! The spawning season is between April and June. Males find a mate and spawn in warm shallow ponds, pools or puddles in dune slacks and sandy heaths. Females lay thousands of eggs in single rows (unlike our common toad that lay them in double rows) along two spawn strings. It only takes six to eight weeks for the spawn to develop in to toadlets with the yellow dorsal stripe clearly visible.

Females lay thousands of eggs in single rows. Image Credit: Matt Wilson

Mainly found in coastal sites across the northwest of England and the Solway Firth in Scotland, they cling on in just a few other places in the sand dunes of East Anglia and heathlands of Surrey and Hampshire.

At this time of year, adults and metamorphosed toadlets spend time building up plenty their reserves in preparation for the winter months ahead. Through winter they will take shelter burying themselves in the mud or sand, under logs and rocks.

Threatened by habitat loss, the natterjack toad has declined massively over the last few decades. As a result of this, it is strictly protected by British and European law which makes it an offence to kill, injure, capture or disturb them; damage or destroy their habitat; or possess them or sell or trade them in any way. This also applies to larval stages and eggs.

Image Credit: Tracy Farrer

 

Remember, if you spot a natterjack toad or any other amphibians and reptiles (including young and eggs), log your sighting on our free Dragon Finder app. 

What our animals are doing this month

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Written by Eve Goddard, Transforming Lives Trainee

Gills in, venture out!

Credit: Gareth Ward

As August hits, our newt larvae, which have been aquatic until now, absorb their gills and head out onto land to begin the next stage of life as an eft or ‘newtlet’.

Their diet will change from chydorids, daphniids and cyclopoid copepods (that’s water fleas and tiny crustaceans to you and me!) to terrestrial invertebrates such as worms and slugs.

They will take shelter under warm, damp logs, stones and paving slabs.

The weather will play a big part in their success at this stage. If it has been too hot and seasonal ponds have dried early, larvae may not have developed enough to leave the ponds and will perish.

However, the annual drying of seasonal ponds provides an advantage for our newt friends long term, as whilst adults can remain on land, aquatic predators such as fish will be predated and ducks will move on. 

 

Hop into Summer!

August falls into the period when froglets and toadlets will absorb their tails and leave the pond for the first time to reach dry land. They will often leave en masse as there’s safety in numbers!

The young will be around 1cm long and will shelter around ponds and damp areas trying to keep cool in the summer heat.  Being largely nocturnal, they will be active at night and avoid daytime temperatures. They feed on small flies, insects and worms.

 

Reptile Egg-stravaganza!

August is the time when UK reptiles begin to be born. 

Grass snakes begin to hatch from their eggs. The eggs will have been laid in rotting vegetation where neonates (hatchlings) can keep warm before they are ready to explore. Neonates are adept swimmers and will feed on small fish and amphibians.

Common lizards incubate their eggs internally (known as ‘ovoviviparity’) and will now give birth to up to 11 young. The young can be predated by birds and domestic cats. Their secret defence is shedding their still-moving tail in the case of an attack.

Juvenile common lizards love the August sunshine and will be found in open dry, sunny spaces with dense cover nearby.

Credit: Josefine Stenudd

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