OHIO FROGS 1 Amphibian Basics Methods for Identification Field Guide Info

WARM UP: TRUE OR FALSE? 1) All amphibians hibernate in winter. 2) All amphibians are cold-blooded. 3) All amphibians lay eggs. 4) Amphibians include snakes, frogs, toads, salamandersand turtles. 5) Toads can cause warts. 6) Toads and frogs can be told apart by their hind feet. 7) Only toads have parotoid glands. 8) All amphibians breathe through their skin.

AMPHIBIANS OF OHIO  Includes Frogs, Toads and Salamanders  All need moist skin for oxygen exchange through skin  All hibernate through winter and breed in spring and/or fall  All are cold-blooded / exothermic (environment determines body temp.)  All lay eggs, larval development continues after hatching

TOADS VS. FROGS  Partially webbed hind feet = terrestrial  Bumpy, warty skin  Enlarged parotoid gland  Smaller tympanum  Fully or mostly webbed hind feet  Smooth, slimy skin  No parotoid gland  Enlarged typmanum Tree frogs have toe pads on mostly webbed feet Tree frog skin can look bumpy like a toads

AMERICAN TOAD

WHAT’S THE SONG?  male american toad male american toad

AMERICAN TOAD  Typical Toad Features: Skin, Hind Feet, Parotoid Gland  White line down middle of back  1-2 warts in each black spot on back  Song = high-pitched trill  Habitat: Very Common and adaptable, open ground and woodlands, gardens  Any small pond or puddle to breed

FOWLER’S TOAD

WHAT’S THE SONG?  Male Fowler's Toad Male Fowler's Toad

FOWLER’S TOAD  Typical Toad Features  White line down center of back  3+ warts in each black spot on back  song = raspy scream  Habitat: woodlands and open areas, less common than american toad, similar breeding pools

EASTERN SPADEFOOT TOAD

WHAT’S THE SONG? eastern spadefoot toad song

EASTERN SPADEFOOT TOAD  Typical Toad Features  Smaller paratoid glands  2 faint white lines running down the back  Light to dark brown with no bold spots  Vertical pupil  Spade on heels of hind feet  song = low pitched “waaah”  Habitat: dry sandy soils in SE Ohio - endangered

BULLFROG

WHAT’S THE SONG?  Male bull frog Male bull frog

BULLFROG  Very Large, our largest species  True frog features: skin, fully webbed hind feet, lg. tympanic membrane  Green – brown in color, sometimes blotchy  No Lateral Folds  Song = cow-like groan  Habitat: never strays far from still or slow moving water

GREEN FROG

WHAT’S THE SONG?  Male Green Frog Male Green Frog

GREEN FROG  Smaller than bullfrog  True frog features  Green – brown, sometimes blotchy  Always has bright green snout  Has lateral folds  Song = quick grunt or cough  Habitat similar to bullfrog but more adaptable to humans

NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG

WHAT’S THE SONG?  male leopard frog male leopard frog

LEOPARD FROG  Smaller than bullfrog and green frog  True frog features  Green-olive with large rounded spots scattered on back  Has lateral folds  Song = long deep clicking trill  Habitat: prefers grassy areas or wet meadows near water

PICKEREL FROG

WHAT’S THE SONG?  Male Pickerel Frog Male Pickerel Frog

PICKEREL FROG  Same size and basic coloration of leopard frog  True frog features  Spots are less rounded, more angular, blended together  Has lateral folds  Has yellowish color on inner thighs  Song = zip  Habitat: similar to leopard frog but uses wooded areas