Boreal Chorus Frog

Boreal Chorus Frog

Pseudacris maculata
TREE FROG FAMILY (Hylidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

This small but loud frog reaches only 1 1/2 inches in length. It has two dark stripes running through and back from its eyes, and a central dark stripe from between the eyes. The underside is cream-colored. Image 3 shows a newly laid egg cluster at the upper right.

This frog is common in temporary or shallow woodland waters at Fontenelle Forest and presumably at Neale Woods as well. Its loud vocalization can be heard from far away in early spring, in a chorus sounding like combs being “played” with finger nails. But all frogs in an area stop calling when just one of them senses danger. They vocalize while hidden in vegetation and are thus difficult to spot, even when “singing” very close by.  Occasionally you may see one calling in the water as shown in photo 2.

The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.