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Project Noah Nature School
Anaxyrus microscaphus
Multiple couples in amplexus in Zion Canyon
A small vernal pool in a desert canyon, Zion National Park
People I know in wildlife biology identified these for me.
Spotted on May 7, 2011
Submitted on Nov 12, 2011
5 Comments
I had to look up amplexus in Wikipedia:
"Amplexus (Latin "embrace") is a form of pseudocopulation in which a male amphibian grasps a female with his front legs as part of the mating process. At the same time or with some time delay, he fertilizes the female eggs with fluid containing sperm."
They are playing LEAP FROG!!! HA! (I mean leap toad!)
@ alice: it's actually May in that picture (unless that's what you meant). the leaves stuck around awhile.
textless: thanks!
Lovely toads and a very nice photo series.
Can easily tell the time of year with all the leaves around!