Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for April–June 2025
Emerging Gopher Frog News by Aubrey Heupel Greene, Wildlife Diversity Biologist G opher frog breeding season in North Carolina is usually thought to occur from February through March, some- times early April. However, we saw no breeding activity on Sandhills Game Land during this timeframe due to low water levels and little rain. We had all but given up on seeing any breeding activity this year when we received heavy rains in May and surveyed for egg masses, just in case. We were sur- prised and thrilled to find an egg mass at the reintroduction pond on Sandhills Game Land. A portion of that egg mass is being raised by our partners at the NC Zoo. The tadpoles are growing quickly and will likely metamorphose later this year for release back to their natal pond. Meanwhile, the tadpoles from our last unexpected breed- ing event in September are beginning to metamorphose and we started releasing these head-started individuals back to the ponds in June. So far 38 froglets have been released, and the remaining tadpoles will emerge and be ready for release over the next few weeks. All good news for this State Endan- gered species!
Top: Metamorph gopher frogs ready for release. Left: Metamorph gopher frog sitting on a lily pad after release.
AUBREY HEUPEL GREENE/NCWRC
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