This cache is part of the Auburn Hills Recreation Geocache Challenge. These caches are for the various animals that you may encounter in Michigan. Find the missing word at each cache and fill it in to the geocache decoder found at the end of the Auburn Hills Park Adventure Journal. Turn your completed book into the Auburn Hills Community Center for a fun prize! Please respect all park rules & regulations and please replace all caches as you found them. Thank You and have fun Geocaching!
(LAUNCHING SUMMER 2026) AUBURN HILLS GEOCACHING CHALLENGE DECODER
Wood Frogs are one of the first amphibians to emerge right when the snow melts, along with _____________.
Fun Fact: Wood Frogs are special because they are the only frog found above the arctic circle. They survive the harsh winters of north America by freezing themselves!
Common Name: Wood Frog
Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica
Size: 1.5 to 2.75 inches long
Range, Habitat, & Physical Description:
The wood frog is a frog species found throughout North America, from southern Appalachia to the Boreal forests and tundra above the arctic circle. They come in many different colors from tan to red. Wood frogs primarily live on land in heavily forested and moist environments like bogs, ravines, and forested swamps. They breed ephemeral freshwater wetlands called vernal pools (as seen to the southeast of the cache). “Ephemeral” means the wetlands are seasonal and dry up during certain seasons. During the rest of the year, wood frogs can be found in both coniferous and deciduous forests, sometimes a significant distance from water. They are especially likely to be active in the early morning, or after a heavy rain.
Relationship With Humans & How You Can Help Them:
Vernal pools are in danger, since they are ephemeral (last for a very short time) they are not protected by law and are not well documented. These vulnerable habitats are also home to many endemic species (species only found in this habitats) that risk extinction if they are destroyed. YOU can help this species by preserving important habitats on your property like vernal pools. Using less road salt also helps, as this seeps into vernal pools and negatively affects wood frog tadpole development.