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

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.