Overhere, at least some amphibians were earlier out of the water than usual, while some started breeding again after the summer rains (in an attempt to compensate for the lost larvae of spring) - of course Bufo calamita, but also not allegedly(!) less flexible species like Lissotriton vulgaris and Salamandra. Weird year...
Yesterday, while on a walk here in London, I saw a dead R.temporaria which has been killed by a grass cutting machine, and it was full of eggs! How long before spawning do eggs develope inside the frog? I wonder if it was going to spawn now or it would've kept them until spring?
). I'm investigating whether they overwinter whilst gravid (in the UK a biennial breeding cycle is generally accepted, but it has been assumed that the gestation period is 5 months or so, followed by the following year 'off' to regain condition.) I have seen female smooth snakes in spring (April/May) which bear all the signs of being gravid, which goes against the literature. I'd be grateful for any info regarding female snakes - especially adder and smooth snake - which appear gravid in early spring.
A very nice morning indeed!