# Influence of Shelter and Hibernation on the 24-Hour Behavioral Rhythms of Male Dybowski’s Frog (Rana dybowskii) Across Age Groups

## TL;DR

This study shows how shelter and hibernation affect the daily behavior of male Dybowski’s frogs, with juveniles being more sensitive to shelter and becoming more active after hibernation.

## Contribution

The study reveals age-specific differences in how shelter and hibernation influence the behavioral rhythms of Dybowski’s frogs.

## Key findings

- Juvenile frogs rest more than adults when provided with shelter.
- Post-hibernation, frogs show increased activity and vocalization, likely linked to reproductive readiness.
- Juveniles exhibit stronger behavioral responses to shelter, indicating greater environmental dependency.

## Abstract

This study examines how shelter and hibernation affect the daily behavior of Dybowski’s frogs. We observed both adult and juvenile frogs in a controlled setting before and after hibernation. Our results show that frogs rest more when provided with shelter, with juveniles resting more than adults. After hibernation, frogs became more active and vocal, possibly due to reproductive readiness. Juvenile frogs exhibited a stronger behavioral response to the presence of shelter, indicating a higher dependency on environmental structures for safety and comfort compared to adults. These findings highlight the importance of shelter in conserving energy and helping frogs adapt to environmental changes. Protecting habitats with adequate cover is crucial for the survival of frog populations, especially as climate change impacts their ecosystems. This research helps us understand frog behavior better and supports conservation efforts to protect these amphibians and their habitats.

Understanding how environmental factors such as shelter availability and hibernation influence amphibian behavior is critical for improving conservation and captive management. In this study, we examined the effects of shelter and hibernation on 24 h behavioral patterns of male Dybowski’s frogs (Rana dybowskii) across different age groups. Twenty adult and twenty juvenile frogs were observed during pre- and post-hibernation periods under controlled laboratory conditions using continuous video monitoring. Both adults and juveniles showed significantly increased resting behavior when provided with shelter, with adults resting more than 70% of the time and juveniles exceeding 80%. Hibernation induced clear changes in circadian rhythms, including shifts in peak activity times, and vocalizations increased post-hibernation in both age groups, reflecting physiological adjustments associated with reproductive activation. Juveniles displayed more pronounced activity rhythms and greater sensitivity to shelter availability, indicating age-specific differences in environmental adaptability. These findings demonstrate the importance of shelter in shaping behavioral patterns and highlight that hibernation leads to temporary but marked alterations in daily activity cycles.