Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)

Wood Frogs are usually a dark brown colour but some individuals may be greenish or reddish. There is some barring on the legs. Small warts may occur on the back and dark spotting is sometimes found along the lower sides. A ridge runs down each side of the back and a black mask is found behind each eye. Body length is 4.5 to 6 cm.

Wood Frogs hibernate under logs or in loose well- drained soil and are the first frogs to be heard in the spring. Calling begins in late April, just before the first Spring Peepers are heard. Their call sounds like a click. Wood Frog calling quickly peaks and then declines by mid—May just when that of Spring Peepers is peeking. Eggs are laid in a round mass in temporary ponds. Eggs hatch in about two weeks with tadpoles transforming two months later. Adult Wood Frogs live in damp shady woodlands where they feed largely on insects and their larvae., The Wood Frog is abundant on P.E.I.

. Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)

This species is greenish to brownish with 6 to 20 large light—bordered dark spots scattered over the upper surface of the body. Two pronounced ridges run along the sides of the back. Body length is 6 to 9 cm, with the females being slightly larger. Hibernation occurs in or near ponds or in moist places on land. Leopard Frogs emerge in late April and breeding activity peaks slightly after that of the Wood Frog, at about the same or slightly later than that of the Spring Peeper. The mating call sounds like a repeated gutteral snore. Egg masses are looser and laid in shallower water than eggs of the Wood Frog. Tadpoles take about two months to transform. Adults and transformed young live in damp grassy places where they eat a variety of insects. The Leopard Frog is quite common on the Island.

REFERENCES:

Cook, F.R. 1967. An Analysis of the Herpetofauna of Prince Edward Island. Nat. Mus. Can. Bull. No. 212. Ottawa. 60 pp.

Gorham, S.W. 1970. The Amphibians and Reptiles of New Brunswick. N.B. Museum Monographic Series No. 6. St. John. 30 pp.

Martin, J.L. 1955. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Nova Scotia. N.S. Museum. Halifax. 17 pp.

Zim, H.S. and H.M. Smith. 1956. Golden Nature Guide: Reptiles and Amphibians. Golden Press. New York. 160 pp.