Frogs and Wetlands By Shane Roberts

Taxonomy Kingdom Animalia Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia Class Amphibia Order Anura Order Anura Family Hylidae Family Hylidae Ranidae Ranidae Genera Rana Genera Rana Pseudacris Pseudacris

Taxonomy continued Rana sylvatica- Wood Frog Rana sylvatica- Wood Frog Pseudacris crucifer crucifer- Northern Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer crucifer- Northern Spring Peeper Rana catesbeiana- Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana- Bullfrog

Northern Spring Peeper Description Description 1 in. (2.54 cm) long 1 in. (2.54 cm) long Dark brown to orange to pinkish colored frog Dark brown to orange to pinkish colored frog X marking on back X marking on back Underside light colored and unmarked Underside light colored and unmarked Toe pads on hind and fore feet Toe pads on hind and fore feet

Ecology Habitat- Woodlands with brushy undergrowth near temporary ponds, streams, pools and swamps Habitat- Woodlands with brushy undergrowth near temporary ponds, streams, pools and swamps Diet consists of small invertebrates and insects Diet consists of small invertebrates and insects Breeding occurs during March-June Breeding occurs during March-June Males gather in large numbers and call from areas near the breeding pools Males gather in large numbers and call from areas near the breeding pools

Ecology continued Around 1000 eggs are laid Around 1000 eggs are laid Eggs are attached separately to leaves, stems and grasses that are submerged in the water Eggs are attached separately to leaves, stems and grasses that are submerged in the water The eggs will hatch within a week or two of being laid The eggs will hatch within a week or two of being laid Metamorphosis consist of three stages- egg, larva and adult Metamorphosis consist of three stages- egg, larva and adult In 3-4 months the larva will metamorphose into an adult In 3-4 months the larva will metamorphose into an adult In 3 years they become reproductive In 3 years they become reproductive

Distribution They are found statewide but are not as common in the Bluegrass region They are found statewide but are not as common in the Bluegrass region

Management Promote the restoration of wetlands Promote the restoration of wetlands Prevent soil erosion Prevent soil erosion Lower water pollution in areas where they are found Lower water pollution in areas where they are found Provide habitat that is crucial for breeding success Provide habitat that is crucial for breeding success

Wood Frog Description Description in. (3-8 cm) long in. (3-8 cm) long Dark brown, pinkish or tan in color Dark brown, pinkish or tan in color Slender body Slender body Smooth skin Smooth skin Straight ridge along each side of the back Straight ridge along each side of the back Dark mask extending from eye to behind eardrum Dark mask extending from eye to behind eardrum White or creamy underside White or creamy underside Toes not completely webed Toes not completely webed

Ecology Habitat- Wooded areas, ponds, forested wetlands and temporary water holes Habitat- Wooded areas, ponds, forested wetlands and temporary water holes Diet consist of: Diet consist of:Insects Small invertebrates

Ecology continued Breeding occurs during early spring for 1 to 2 weeks Breeding occurs during early spring for 1 to 2 weeks All the frogs arrive at breeding site near the same time All the frogs arrive at breeding site near the same time Males develop pad on thumb for grasping female wile she is depositing the eggs Males develop pad on thumb for grasping female wile she is depositing the eggs Males call during the day and at night Males call during the day and at night Males do not defend territory Males do not defend territory

Ecology continued Eggs are laid in jelly masses that contain 1,000-2,000 eggs Eggs are laid in jelly masses that contain 1,000-2,000 eggs These jelly masses will be attached to underwater vegetation These jelly masses will be attached to underwater vegetation Eggs hatch into tadpoles in 3 weeks Eggs hatch into tadpoles in 3 weeks Tadpoles develop into adults in days Tadpoles develop into adults in days Life span as adults is 3-4 years Life span as adults is 3-4 years

Distribution They are found statewide except in northern and southwestern Ky They are found statewide except in northern and southwestern Ky

Distribution The wood frog lives farther North than any other North American amphibian The wood frog lives farther North than any other North American amphibian

Management Restore areas that are critical to their survival Restore areas that are critical to their survival Protect forested wetlands Protect forested wetlands Keep trash out of the water Keep trash out of the water Acidic water conditions can cause the eggs to die and tadpoles to be deformed Acidic water conditions can cause the eggs to die and tadpoles to be deformed

American Bullfrog Description Description Smooth skin that can appear green to yellow above Smooth skin that can appear green to yellow above Sometimes brown in color Sometimes brown in color Random mottling of a darker gray Random mottling of a darker gray Large external eardrum Large external eardrum White to cream belly White to cream belly

Ecology Habitat-Lakes, ponds and streams with vegetative cover Habitat-Lakes, ponds and streams with vegetative cover Diet consist of insects and about anything that it can fit into its mouth Diet consist of insects and about anything that it can fit into its mouth

Ecology continued Breeding goes from May-August Breeding goes from May-August Female choses mate based on quality of territory Female choses mate based on quality of territory Eggs are laid in water in large partially floating masses Eggs are laid in water in large partially floating masses Masses about 2 ft. in diameter Masses about 2 ft. in diameter Mass will disappear in about 2 weeks as the eggs hatch Mass will disappear in about 2 weeks as the eggs hatch

Ecology continued Life cycle consist of three stages Life cycle consist of three stages Egg Egg Larva Larva Adult Adult Tadpole is the largest in North America Tadpole is the largest in North America Life span is about 6 years Life span is about 6 years

Distribution It is found statewide It is found statewide

Distribution

Management Stop habitat destruction Stop habitat destruction Protect breeding grounds Protect breeding grounds Promote restoration of wetlands Promote restoration of wetlands