In winter, frogs and toads don’t migrate like birds or stay active like mammals—they enter a state of dormancy to survive the cold. The exact strategy depends on whether they are aquatic frogs, terrestrial frogs, or toads.

🐸 Aquatic Frogs (e.g., green frogs, bullfrogs, leopard frogs)

These frogs hibernate underwater in ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams.

They do not freeze—they slow their metabolism and absorb oxygen through their skin.

They don’t sink into the mud completely (that would suffocate them). Instead, they rest on the bottom or partially burrow.

They stay alive all winter by breathing through their skin using dissolved oxygen in the water.

🐸 Terrestrial Frogs (e.g., wood frogs, spring peepers)

These frogs hibernate on land, often under leaf litter, logs, or in shallow soil.

Some, like the wood frog, can freeze solid and survive!

Their bodies make special chemicals (like glucose) that act like antifreeze.

Their heart stops, they stop breathing, but they thaw and wake up in spring.

🐸 Toads (e.g., American toad, Fowler’s toad)

Toads dig deep below the frost line using their strong back legs.

They often burrow into soil, under logs, or use tunnels made by other animals.

They fully hibernate underground, where temperatures stay above freezing.

🌡️ Why the Strategy Matters

Type Where They Hibernate Can They Freeze?

Aquatic frogs Underwater No

Terrestrial frogs On land, shallow shelter Some yes (like wood frogs)

Toads Deep underground No (they avoid freezing)

❄️ Fun Winter Facts

Wood frogs can survive being 70% frozen and revive when temperatures rise.

If a pond completely freezes solid, aquatic frogs can die—so they rely on oxygen-rich water.

Frogs and toads don’t eat at all during winter; they shut down digestion and rely on stored fat.