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Pacific Tree Frog

Pseudacris regilla

Description:

Able to grow up to 5 cm long. Males have a dark patch of skin on their throat, which is the vocal sac which stretches out when a male is calling. Male usually smaller than the female. Colors from green, tan, reddish, gray, brown, cream, or black. Most are shades of either green or brown. They can change their color seasonally to better match their environment. They usually have a pale or white color on their bellies. Many variations of markings on their back and sides that are usually dark and spotty. They can be identified by the black or dark brown eye stripe that goes over the eye from the nose to the shoulder. Their skin is covered in small bumps. They have long legs compared to their bodies and they tend to be slender. Their toes are long and only very slightly webbed. On the end of each toe, there is a round sticky toe pad or disks used for climbing and sticking to surfaces.

Habitat:

From sea level to 10,000ft. Pacific tree frogs are most common on the Pacific coast of California, Oregon and Washington, but can be found anywhere from Baja California, north to British Columbia. They can be found eastward to Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. Reproducing in aquatic settings, they will be seen in upland in ponds, streams and lakes, but sometimes far from water. The tree frog makes its home in riparian habitat, woodlands, grassland, chaparral, pasture land, and even urban areas including back yard ponds.

Notes:

This species is also known as the Pacific Chorus Frog. Wikipedia says that this is the only frog that actually makes the "ribbit" sound. Spotted during the afternoon in the brush on the shore of the lake.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Pacific Tree Frog


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4 Comments

Skunkroot
Skunkroot 12 years ago

Yes! It looks like it is a Pacific Chorus Frog / Pacific Tree Frog (the same according to one of those articles). Thanks for the help with the ID.

Sara Mariachi Frog
Sara Mariachi Frog 12 years ago

That is one gorgeous frog!!! Could be a pacific chorus frog....
http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Washingto...

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 12 years ago

It may be a wood frog, but I am not an expert.

Skunkroot
Spotted by
Skunkroot

California, USA

Spotted on Sep 27, 2005
Submitted on Apr 2, 2011

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