Free Flash Slideshow by cu3ox.com v1.1

Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature:  Frogs


Most amphibians have moist, smooth skin and are usually found in wet environments, moving during rainfall, and in or near standing or flowing water. Exceptions are toads and newts, which can have rough or bumpy skin. And sometimes you will find amphibians in dry areas, such as on roads at night, and even in deserts with no obvious water nearby, either feeding, or moving between wet areas.

Frogs and toads have four legs, with enlarged rear legs, and no tail. An exception is the male Tailed Frog, which appears to have a short tail, which is really a reproductive organ. They can be found during the day or at night, in water, and on land, including climbing in bushes and trees and on roads at night. Looking around ponds on warm sunny days is an excellent way to find frogs. Frogs are not usually confused with any other type of reptile or amphibian, but frog larvae, or tadpoles, can be difficult to tell apart from salamander larvae.
The leopard frog has leopard spots and is seen in California nature At least 9 species of leopard frogs and several close relatives are found in the Sonoran Desert region. Differences among species are small and often indistinguishable to the human eye. All species are fairly large with pointed snouts, webbed hind toes, long, powerful hind limbs, and large external eardrums.

Leopard frogs are green or greenish brown with creamy white undersides. The back, sides, and legs are dotted with well-defined round dark spots with a light border. Two distinct light-colored glandular ridges run down the back, from the eyes to the tail. There may also be a light stripe on the upper jaw.

Leopard frogs are insectivorous and piscivorous (fish-eating). Highly aquatic, they often jump into water from the stream bank to avoid capture. Leopard frogs may breed year-round, and tadpoles may take more than a year to metamorphose. Tadpoles get very large. These frogs inhabit permanent and intermittent streams, irrigation canals, and some ponds.
The California Treefrog is a tiny frog of desert canyons. It seeks shade during the day among jumbled stones and boulders near water. Protective coloration helps California Treefrogs avoid daytime predators. When disturbed, it leaps into the water but returns almost immediately to shore. During the dry summer months, California Treefrogs retreat deep into crevices.

Found in southwestern California, the California Treefrog is a warty, grayish treefrog between 1-2 inches, usually with round, dark blotches on its skin. This frog's call is an often-repeated quack. Males usually call while sitting in the water, often at the base of a rock.

This is a species most likely to occur along streams with abundant boulders and cobbles in their channels. Its distribution is spotty and localized. These frogs are easily handled.
Pacific treefrogs actually say ribbit and can change colors The Pacific Tree Frog is a very common species of chorus frog, with a range from the West Coast of the United States from North California, Oregon, and Washington to British Columbia in Canada. Living anywhere from sea level up to over 10,000 feet, they are found in shades of greens or browns and even have been known to change between them. They live in many types of habitats and reproduce in aquatic settings. This species is also known as the Pacific Chorus Frog. It is also the only frog that goes "ribbit"

One of the most interesting features of these frogs is their ability to change color from brown to green. Previously, it was thought that there were two different fixed colors that an adult tree frog could be. Now it has been found that some of them are able to change between the two. They can also change from lighter to darker, shift from patterned markings to pure colors and vice versa, and even display combinations of colors, brown/green being the most frequent.These color changing morphs are triggered not by color change in their environment, but a change in background brightness. This type of environmental change would be caused by seasonal fluctuation. A full change in the dorsal coloration of a color morph can take anywhere from weeks to months, but initial changes can occur in just a few days. This has been shown to be a very useful cryptic survival feature for these frogs.
Bullfrogs are widespread and very common. If you see a large brown and green frog (up to 8 inches long) in a permanent body of water just about anywhere in California except very high elevations, it is most likely a Bullfrog. Bullfrogs do not have a dorsolateral fold, but they do have a fold surrounding the eardrum.

Juveniles are much smaller, and are more common. One good way to identify juveniles is by the loud chirping sound they make as they jump from the shore into the water when you approach. Other frogs that occur with the Bullfrog do not make this sound.

This frog is rarely seen away from water, but you can sometimes find them on roads at night. Male Bullfrogs often call during the day, which may help you identify the frog.
Frogs        Salamanders        Newts        Toads
 
 
Website Created by Website Creations

About us      Privacy Disclaimer      Advertisers     Contact Us     Bookstore    Sitemap     Search    Floridian Nature