In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Wood frog Lithobates sylvaticus range: IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, SD, WI size: 2 1/2–4 1/4 inches description: Small to medium tan to reddish brown nonclimbing frog with distinctive dark mask on sides of face covering lower part of eye. White line along upper jaw, distinct dorsolateral folds extending from eye to groin. Dorsolateral folds may have dark lines or spots. Back may have scattered black dots or white vertebral stripe, legs may have dark crossbars. Belly white, unspotted. habitat: Moist forests and bottomland forests, breeds in woodland pools and ponds voice: Ducklike quacking or cackling consisting of several notes in rapid succession natural history: This northern frog is one of the earliest breeders, moving to its breeding ponds with the first spring rains, sometimes with snow still on the ground. Feeds on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates . Breeds mid February to mid March in the south, mid March to April in the north. Tadpoles transform by May or June. similar species: Chorus frogs are much smaller, have 3 stripes on back, lack dorsolateral folds. Young bronze and green frogs may be similarly colored but lack dark mask on sides of face. Northern crawfish frog Lithobates areolatus circulosus range: IL, IN, KS, MO size: 2 1/2– 4 1/4 inches description: Large tan to light gray nonclimbing frog with many dark spots on back crowded together and outlined in lighter color. Large head with mottled jaws, no white line along upper jaw, distinct humped back when sitting, distinct dorsolateral fold extending from eye to groin. Belly white, unspotted. habitat: Low, wet prairies; woodlands; floodplains; brushy fields voice: Low, rumbling snore lasting less than a second, “wwahhhhh.” Chorus of males may sound like pigs at feeding time. natural history: This secretive frog is seldom seen; it spends much of the year underground in mammal or crawfish burrows and sometimes storm sewers. Feeds on insects, crawfish, and other amphibians. Breeds March to April. Tadpoles transform by midsummer . similar species: Northern, plains, and southern leopard frogs and pickerel frog have white line along upper jaw. Plains leopard frog has dorsolateral fold broken near groin and offset toward middle of back. Pickerel frog has paired squarish spots on back and bright yellow or orange on groin and underside of thighs. ▼ ▼ ...

Share