Frogs and Toads in Your Pocket: A Guide to Amphibians of the Upper Midwest

Upland chorus frog: Pseudacris feriarum

range: Boreal: IA, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI; midland: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, WI; upland: IL, IN, MO, OH size: 3/4–1 1/2 inches description: Small tan, brown, or gray nonclimbing frog with 3 dark brown or gray stripes down smooth back. Middle stripe may break up into rows of spots. White stripe on upper jaw, dark stripe running from snout through eye. Belly whitish with scattered dark flecks. Toe pads small, no webbing between toes. Boreal chorus frog has short legs, particularly segment below knee; stripes on back are visible or nearly absent; central stripe may be broken; stripes on sides run from snout through eye and end along side of body. Midland chorus frog has longer legs, lower segment longer in relation to rest of leg compared to boreal chorus frog; stripes on back are visible or nearly absent; central stripe is most often solid; stripes on sides run from snout through eye and end before groin. Upland chorus frog may have 3 stripes on back; if present, stripes most often break up into spots; stripes on sides run from snout through eye and into groin. Boreal chorus frog Pseudacris maculata Upland chorus frog Pseudacris feriarum habitat: Marshes, ponds, lakes, streams, roadside ditches voice: Series of rapid “creaking” clicks that sound like a thumb rubbing along the stiff teeth of a small comb. Calls both day and night. Males call from edge of water or floating on water, sometimes in large choruses. natural history: Often the first frogs to be heard calling in spring, sometimes as early as mid March. Males may be seen calling from top of ice or snow. Feed on small insects, spiders, and other invertebrates . Breed March to May. Tadpoles transform in approximately 2 months. similar species: These three species look and sound nearly identical, but ranges of boreal and upland chorus frogs do not overlap. Boreal chorus frog has shorter legs than midland chorus frog and a central stripe on back that may be broken. Upland chorus frog has stripes on back that most often break up into spots, whereas midland chorus frog has a solid central stripe. Northern spring peeper has X-shaped mark on back. Wood frog is larger and has dorsolateral fold. Midland chorus frog Pseudacris triseriata ▼ ▼ ▼ ...