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Show SUMMIT COUNTY NEWS PAGE A8 JUNE 3, 2011 Naturalist Nook: Frogs JEFFERY GOODWIN, INTERN It's spring here in Utah, which means lots of rain and familiar animal sounds. Now that winter is over, birds are singing and many animals have woken up from hibernation to create a soothing chorus in the evening. One of the voices that help make this sound so beautiful is the frog. But you never see or hear frogs during the winter, so where have they all been? How did they survive our freezing temperatures? The answer is that most frogs hibernate, although different species use different survival strategies. Aquatic species, such as Utah's native Northern Leopard Frog, spend the whole winter be- neath the ice of a lake or pond. They will settle on the bottom in deep water with objects like rocks and logs around them or bury themselves in the mud so they can stay hidden from predators. Terrestrial frogs will stay on land for hibernation and dig themselves into the leaf litter or even burrow into the ground. Frogs have a natural antifreeze chemical in their body that helps them stand the harsh Utah winters; some frogs can even survive being frozen solid for the whole winter! So if frogs come right out of hibernation in the spring, why do we rarely see any? Frogs are amphibians, which means that they can switch living environments from land to water. It's important for frogs to be able to leave the water because they are cold blooded, which means their body temperature changes with the external temperature. When frogs get cold their heartbeat and breathing slows, and their temperature drops to match the outside temperature. This puts them in a state of dormancy or torpor. This is why you probably won't see many frogs in the spring, especially in colder places such as Utah. Frogs also need to keep their skin moist all the time. Because of this, frogs typically live near lakes, ponds, and streams. These habitats give them lots of places to hide, and also provides them with their desired diet of insects and worms who live in and lay eggs near water. Utah has 14 native species of frog, and although you don't always see them, you can tell they're around because of their beautiful nightly chorus. Why must frogs keep their skin moist? Amphibians need moisture to breathe through their skin and the lining of their mouth. Because frogs are cold-blooded, they have to bask in the sunshine to warm up enough to move, so they have to keep moist to prevent drying up when they bask. Why are frogs important to humans? Frogs have a spe- Be a good neighbor on the water! With more than 70,000 registered boats and several hundred thousand active boaters in our state, Utah's waterways can be busy and crowded. Follow these tips to help ensure everyone has an enjoyable time regardless of congestion: • Before anchoring, beaching or drifting near others, remember that loud music and talking, barking dogs and smoke may irritate others. Respect your neighbors as they enjoy the outdoors. • When entering a marina, don't create a wake that would damage boats or upset someone's dinner or drink. Your wake is your responsibility, and you can be held liable for any damages it causes. • Be aware of anglers, waterskiers and paddlecraft in your area and give them plenty of room to enjoy their sport. • Never pull into a slip unless designated for general public use. Seasonal slips may appear to be open, but the assigned boat can return at any time. • When launching, retrieving or fueling, keep in mind that other boats might be waiting. As soon as it's safe, move your boat to another public docking area if you need to do other business ashore. Being a good neighbor on the water is just an important as a good neighbor in your home community. For information on boating safety, please visit our website at stateparks.utah.gov / boating. cific role in their ecosystem. They are predators to insects, small fish, and other small aquatic and terrestrial animals. Frogs catch their prey using their unique tongue that is attached in the front instead of the back like most animals. They are prey for larger fish, snakes, lizards, other frogs, birds, and small carnivorous or omnivorous mammals. Without frogs, the local wildlife food chain could be damaged. Frogs also play a part in human health products. Enzymes found in frogs and toads are used in common medicines, and a recent treatment for brain tumors was discovered involving frog enzymes of the Northern Leopard Frog. Imagine if they could find cures of diseases like cancer using the frogs that you can catch in your own backyard! 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At 6:30 pm a public hearing regarding the proposed 2011-2012 Fiscal Budget will be held. After said public hearing, the Board of Education proposes to adopt the tentative budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. On file with the Business Administrator and available for public inspection, will be a copy of the proposed budget. Board of Education South Summit School District Kip Bigelow Business Administrator Published in the Summit County News 6/3/11 and 6/10/11 SEASON $ .95** PASSPORTS UJ EACH, 4 OR MORE (PLUS TAX) INCLUDES RIDES,* LAGOON A BEACH WATERPARK, PIONEER VILLAGE, SCHEDULED ENTERTAINMENT, PICNIC AREAS & FRIGHTMARES: **BUY BEFOREL JUNE 5 TO SAVE OPEN DAILY: June 4 thru August 21* OPEN WEEKENDS: April, May, September & October* ! *2011 LAGOON SEASON PASSPORTS are $89.95 each (+ tax) when you purchase 4 or more; $99.95 each (+ tax) when you purchase 1, 2 or 3. Prices valid through June 5, 2011. X-Venture Zone attractions are not included with Season Passports. 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