Vernal pools are special habitats, created by melting winter snow and spring rains. At this time of year, they are teeming with life – they become mating and breeding pools for just a few species of frogs and salamanders. These amphibians leave their winter hibernation in the woodlands to find mates, lay their eggs, and have their young hatch and develop in this ephemeral, watery environment.
We know that not everyone can get to a vernal pool – so we’ll bring its animal inhabitants closer to you! Please join us and some amazing local experts (and their very cool critters)! Stop by anytime between 1pm and 3pm.
At 2pm, Dr. Don Forester will be giving a presentation, Life in a Frog Pond: What’s all that noise about!
As the snow melts in late winter, wetlands throughout North America erupt into a cacophony of sound. This biological symphony is a harbinger of spring and bears raucous witness to the complex, but seldom seen mating rituals of countless amphibian species. Dr. Don C. Forester (Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at Towson University) has spent his career studying the behavioral ecology of amphibian reproduction and will present an illustrated lecture examining the complexity of vocal communication among frogs. Using his own research on the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), he will discuss why male frogs call and the information that females extract from the calls. Come and join us to learn why it costs to call, but it pays to advertise! will present an illustrated lecture examining the complexity of vocal communication among frogs. Using his own research on the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), he will discuss why male frogs call and the information that females extract from the calls. Come and join us to learn why it costs to call, but it pays to advertise!
Location: Natural History Society of Maryland 6908 Belair Road
Cost: FREEEEE
Please register online at: http://marylandnature.org/events/
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Dr. Forester, Tom, and Tim, like most of the other people leading NHSM, is a volunteer, so the fee you pay will go directly to support the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Please consider donating or becoming a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland and visit www.marylandnature.org for more information. Thank you for your support!