Friends of Murphys Point Park

Our #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus). As winter nears and temperatures drop, these frogs are becoming inactive for the season – they have special adaptations that allow them to survive the cold winter by tolerating the freezing of their blood and tissues! Typically settling down in spots close to the surface in soil and leaf litter, their breathing and heart rate begin to slow until stopping altogether. During this time, their bodies produce a special antifreeze substance that prevents ice from forming within their cells, which would otherwise cause them to burst. They will then remain in this dormant state until the weather warms again in the spring when they will thaw and begin mating. Here at Murphys Point, we often find Wood Frogs in the campgrounds as they like to live in the leaves on the forest floor where they can camouflage and hide from predators. Have you ever seen a Wood Frog while camping here at the park?

As pumpkin season comes to a close, we thought it would only be appropriate to discuss our jack-o-lantern-named friend, the Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). Although Pumpkinseeds are a native species, they almost look out of place in our waters with their bright tropical colours. They are a fun and easy fish to catch but look out! Pumpkinseeds have up to 11 spines on their dorsal fins and 3 spines on their anal fins. These spines help to defend them from predators, including larger fish like Largemouth Bass and Pike, as well as birds like Cormorants and Herons. As for the Pumpkinseeds, they eat insects, small crustaceans, and other small fish. Pumpkinseeds prefer to live in warmer, slow-moving or still water, where there is aquatic vegetation to give them shelter from predators. They tend to travel in schools with other Sunfish as well. Thanks to this, it is not uncommon for Pumpkinseeds to hybridize with other Sunfish species, which we have seen here at the park! Have you ever gone fishing at Murphys Point?

Just in time for Halloween, our #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus). Toads are often recognized as a symbol for Halloween due to their association with witches and their “warty” skin. You’ve probably even heard the age-old myth that touching a toad will give you warts too! The little bumps on their skin are actually called “granular glands” and help toads camouflage with their surroundings. They also have two large parotoid glands located behind their eyes, which secrete a milky, white substance, that is mildly poisonous when ingested by predators. After picking up a toad, a dog will promptly drop it and may foam at the mouth, but will not be hurt. American Toads live a primarily nocturnal life, and often spend much of their day hiding in the leaf litter on the campgrounds and trails here at Murphys Point. Make sure to keep an eye out for them next time you’re here!