Long before modern forecasts were available at the touch of a button, some households in Germany and Switzerland looked to a small green tree frog for signs of coming weather.
Kept in a bottle half-filled with water and given a tiny ladder, the frog was watched closely as a living weather prophet. If he stayed low on the ladder, bad weather was expected. If he climbed upward, fair skies were believed to be on the way. The higher he sat, the finer the weather was supposed to be.
While many old animal weather signs faded under scientific scrutiny, the tree frog kept a surprising share of respect. Even a meteorological magazine admitted there may have been some sense behind the belief, since the frog’s movements often followed changes in temperature, dampness, and the presence of flies.
Tree Frog a Weather Sharp
Few animals have survived the attacks made by science upon their reputation as weather prophets. The green tree frog is a conspicuous exception.
He is, to be sure, a croaking prophet, but plenty of people still pin their faith to him. Even so scientific a journal as Symons’s Meteorological Magazine has a kind word to say of this little animal.
Here is a picture of the frog’s ladder which is provided for this weather prophet in Germany and Switzerland. In many houses the frog is kept in a bottle half filled with water and provided with a ladder, and the little fellow is carefully watched as to his behavior in uncertain conditions of the atmosphere. A number of weather maxims are based upon his posture and activity.
If he remains on one of the lowest steps of the ladder it is considered a sure sign that bad weather is coming. If he emerges from the water and rests upon the steps above it, fine weather may be expected, and the higher he sits on the steps the finer the weather is sure to be. He is also supposed to give warning of bad weather by croaking loudly before a storm.
The magazine says that there is really some reason to believe that the green tree frog is somewhat experienced as regards climatic conditions and acts accordingly.
In fine weather he skips about among the branches of trees, when at liberty, catching flies. At the approach of winter he seeks the water and finds himself a bed in the mud until the following spring calls him out to resume his war on the flies.
Now the frog on the ladder without doubt watches the weather conditions keenly and rises to look out for flies when the circumstances seem favorable. On the other hand, when the weather is cold and damp he is reminded of winter and instinctively retires to bury his sorrows in the imaginary mud which he seeks at the bottom of his prison.
Source: The Sun. New York, N.Y. June 9, 1907.
