Pickerel Frog

Description:

The Pickerel Frog is a medium sized gray or tan frog marked with seven to twenty-one irregular rectangular dark brown spots which are oriented in two columns down its back. Prominent dorsolateral ridges and yellow or white lines also run down the back. A light line extends along the upper jaw, and its hind legs are banded. The northern populations tend toward a plain whitish color, while the Coastal Plain populations are usually mottled with dark splotches. These colors blend in well with the foliage of its habitat, making it easy for the Pickerel Frog to camouflage itself. Adult males range between 4.4cm and 5.8cm. Females are slightly larger, and can grow as large as 7.9cm. The largest recorded Pickerel Frog was 8.7cm. The Pickerel Frog is often confused with the Leopard Frog, Rana pipiens . They are found in similar areas, and many populations of both species are found to peacefully cohabitate. Indeed, some hybridization has reportedly taken place. But the Pickerel Frog is a distinct species, and should not be mistaken for Rana pipiens. The Pickerel Frog can be distinguished by the bright yellow or orange coloration on the concealed surfaces of the hind legs and belly, perhaps to show it's toxicity. With the exception of the Plains Leopard Frog, Rana blairi, Leopard Frogs lack this bright coloration. Also, unlike the Pickerel Frogs, who have rectangular splotches, Leopard Frogs have circular or oval spots on their backsides To remain healthy, Pickerel Frogs eat a balanced diet of ants, spiders, bugs, beetles, sawfly larvae, and other invertebrates. To find and catch these critters, Pickerel Frogs search the grassy areas next to streams. In case of attack, Pickerel Frogs have an excellent defense mechanism: they emit skin secretions which are irritating to people and toxic to some predators. This toxicity makes the Pickerel Frog the only poisonous frog native to the United States. Pickerel frogs begin to reproduce at two years of age. In spring males begin calling to attract females. The female lays a blob of 700 to 3,000 eggs in the water. It takes about two weeks for the eggs to hatch and 8 to 11 weeks for tadpoles to develop into frogs.

Habitat:

Damp areas, densely covered with vegetation near streams, swamps & ponds.