DID YOU KNOW…
Did you know? Some Frogs Freeze Solid and 'Resurrect'!
North American wood frogs can survive being frozen solid for weeks, stopping their heart and breathing, only to thaw out and hop away as if nothing happened. They achieve this seemingly miraculous feat by producing a natural antifreeze.
To endure sub-zero temperatures, wood frogs (*Rana sylvatica*) accumulate high concentrations of glucose in their cells, which acts as a cryoprotectant. This 'antifreeze' prevents ice crystals from forming inside their cells, a process that would otherwise cause fatal damage. While their heart stops and up to 65% of their body water turns to ice, their vital organs remain intact due to this adaptation, allowing them to resume normal bodily functions once temperatures rise. This remarkable ability is crucial for their survival in temperate and subarctic regions where winter temperatures plummet.
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