Wood Frog

Updated : 2019-01-29Source : CCFAO
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 林蛙

Wood frogs, or called Hasma, are widely distributed in North China, Siberia and DPRK. Geographical distributions decide their sizes. Normally, wood frogs have pointed heads, short front legs and large, strong hind legs for jumping. Adult wood frogs are usually brown or rust colored and usually have dark eye masks. Wood frogs are forest-dwelling organisms. They eat insects and breed primarily in ephemeral, freshwater wetlands, woodland vernal pools. In mid September and early October, adult wood frogs migrate from moist woodlands to neighboring river areas to overwinter. They breed from mid April to early May. Tadpoles are produced within 8-20 days. It will take nearly month for a tadpole to take on a frog’s shape. An adult wood frog is about 14 millimeters long. Hasma is taken for medicinal purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. Reported benefits of eating hasma include replenishing vital essence in the lungs, kidneys, and improving skin complexion. Hasma is also prescribed to treat respiratory symptoms such as coughing, hemoptysis and night sweats due to tuberculosis.