Frogs and WetlandsFrogs and Wetlands

ByBy

Shane RobertsShane Roberts

TaxonomyTaxonomy

Kingdom AnimaliaKingdom Animalia Phylum ChordataPhylum Chordata Class AmphibiaClass Amphibia Order AnuraOrder Anura Family HylidaeFamily Hylidae RanidaeRanidae Genera RanaGenera Rana PseudacrisPseudacris

Taxonomy continuedTaxonomy continued

Rana sylvatica- Wood FrogRana sylvatica- Wood Frog Pseudacris crucifer crucifer- Northern Spring Pseudacris crucifer crucifer- Northern Spring

PeeperPeeper Rana catesbeiana- BullfrogRana catesbeiana- Bullfrog

Northern Spring PeeperNorthern Spring Peeper

DescriptionDescription 1 in. (2.54 cm) long1 in. (2.54 cm) long Dark brown to orange to Dark brown to orange to

pinkish colored frogpinkish colored frog X marking on backX marking on back Underside light colored Underside light colored

and unmarkedand unmarked Toe pads on hind and Toe pads on hind and

fore feetfore feet

EcologyEcology

Habitat- Woodlands with brushy undergrowth Habitat- Woodlands with brushy undergrowth near temporary ponds, streams, pools and near temporary ponds, streams, pools and swampsswamps

Diet consists of small invertebrates and insectsDiet consists of small invertebrates and insects Breeding occurs during March-JuneBreeding occurs during March-June Males gather in large numbers and call from Males gather in large numbers and call from

areas near the breeding poolsareas near the breeding pools

Ecology continuedEcology continued

Around 1000 eggs are laidAround 1000 eggs are laid Eggs are attached separately to leaves, stems and Eggs are attached separately to leaves, stems and

grasses that are submerged in the watergrasses that are submerged in the water The eggs will hatch within a week or two of being The eggs will hatch within a week or two of being

laidlaid Metamorphosis consist of three stages- egg, larva and Metamorphosis consist of three stages- egg, larva and

adultadult In 3-4 months the larva will metamorphose into an In 3-4 months the larva will metamorphose into an

adultadult In 3 years they become reproductiveIn 3 years they become reproductive

DistributionDistribution They are found They are found

statewide but are not as statewide but are not as common in the common in the Bluegrass regionBluegrass region

ManagementManagement

Promote the restoration of wetlandsPromote the restoration of wetlands Prevent soil erosionPrevent soil erosion Lower water pollution in areas where they are Lower water pollution in areas where they are

foundfound Provide habitat that is crucial for breeding Provide habitat that is crucial for breeding

successsuccess

Wood FrogWood Frog DescriptionDescription 1.5-3 in. (3-8 cm) long1.5-3 in. (3-8 cm) long Dark brown, pinkish or tan Dark brown, pinkish or tan

in colorin color Slender bodySlender body Smooth skinSmooth skin Straight ridge along each Straight ridge along each

side of the backside of the back Dark mask extending from Dark mask extending from

eye to behind eardrumeye to behind eardrum White or creamy undersideWhite or creamy underside Toes not completely webedToes not completely webed

EcologyEcology

Habitat- Wooded areas, Habitat- Wooded areas, ponds, forested ponds, forested wetlands and temporary wetlands and temporary water holeswater holes

Diet consist of:Diet consist of:

InsectsInsects

Small invertebratesSmall invertebrates

Ecology continuedEcology continued

Breeding occurs during early spring for 1 to 2 Breeding occurs during early spring for 1 to 2 weeksweeks

All the frogs arrive at breeding site near the All the frogs arrive at breeding site near the same timesame time

Males develop pad on thumb for grasping Males develop pad on thumb for grasping female wile she is depositing the eggsfemale wile she is depositing the eggs

Males call during the day and at nightMales call during the day and at night Males do not defend territoryMales do not defend territory

Ecology continuedEcology continued

Eggs are laid in jelly masses that contain Eggs are laid in jelly masses that contain 1,000-2,000 eggs1,000-2,000 eggs

These jelly masses will be attached to These jelly masses will be attached to underwater vegetationunderwater vegetation

Eggs hatch into tadpoles in 3 weeksEggs hatch into tadpoles in 3 weeks Tadpoles develop into adults in 60-70 daysTadpoles develop into adults in 60-70 days Life span as adults is 3-4 yearsLife span as adults is 3-4 years

DistributionDistribution

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

DistributionDistribution

The wood frog lives The wood frog lives farther North than any farther North than any other North American other North American amphibianamphibian

ManagementManagement

Restore areas that are critical to their survivalRestore areas that are critical to their survival Protect forested wetlandsProtect forested wetlands Keep trash out of the waterKeep trash out of the water

Acidic water conditions can cause the eggs Acidic water conditions can cause the eggs to die and tadpoles to be deformedto die and tadpoles to be deformed

American BullfrogAmerican Bullfrog

DescriptionDescription Smooth skin that can Smooth skin that can

appear green to yellow appear green to yellow aboveabove

Sometimes brown in Sometimes brown in colorcolor

Random mottling of a Random mottling of a darker graydarker gray

Large external eardrumLarge external eardrum White to cream bellyWhite to cream belly

EcologyEcology

Habitat-Lakes, ponds Habitat-Lakes, ponds and streams with and streams with vegetative covervegetative cover

Diet consist of insects Diet consist of insects and about anything that and about anything that it can fit into its mouthit can fit into its mouth

Ecology continuedEcology continued

Breeding goes from May-AugustBreeding goes from May-August Female choses mate based on quality of Female choses mate based on quality of

territoryterritory Eggs are laid in water in large partially Eggs are laid in water in large partially

floating massesfloating masses Masses about 2 ft. in diameterMasses about 2 ft. in diameter Mass will disappear in about 2 weeks as the Mass will disappear in about 2 weeks as the

eggs hatcheggs hatch

Ecology continuedEcology continued

Life cycle consist of three stagesLife cycle consist of three stages EggEgg LarvaLarva AdultAdult Tadpole is the largest in North AmericaTadpole is the largest in North America Life span is about 6 yearsLife span is about 6 years

DistributionDistribution

It is found statewideIt is found statewide

DistributionDistribution

ManagementManagement

Stop habitat destructionStop habitat destruction Protect breeding groundsProtect breeding grounds Promote restoration of wetlandsPromote restoration of wetlands