KERPOW 4 - The Field Guide to Frogs in Ontario

The Field Guide to

FROGS

in Ontario a KERPOW

by Eden Minichiello

"Why the heck would we want to know about frogs?"

Frogs are some of the coolest creatures around. They may not the most popular animals, and some people may think they're gross, but they're actually incredibly unique and fascinating!

In this field guide, you'll learn all about why frogs are so cool, and discover some species that live right here in Southern Ontario! Right now - the end of March - is when frogs begin to croak for their mates and become more active in thawing marshes and ponds. I hope this field guide will inspire you to keep an eye out for these amazing amphibians if you enjoy the occasional hike or nature walk.

Cool Facts About Frogs Frogs drink by osmosis - they absorb water through their skin A group of frogs is called an army When frogs hibernate, their heart rate drops until their heart hardly beats at all Frogs' eyes kind of give them superpowers - frogs can see in front of them, to the sides, AND behind them, and they also have night vision

What happens when a frog parks illegally?

It gets toad.

Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer

Treefrog Colours: tan, light brown, grey Very tiny, only grow up to 3cm in size.

Distinguishable by the little X across their back.

Found most commonly in woodland ponds and the leaf litter on forest floors.

Pickerel Frog

Photo by Steve Byland

Lithobates sylvaticus

True Frog Colours: tan with parallel dark spots Distinguishable by their rows of spots, as well as their croak, which kind of sounds like a snore.

Found most commonly in ponds and streams with stable water temperatures.

Grey Tree Frog

Photo by Mary Holland

Hyla versicolor

Treefrog Colours: green, brown, grey Distinguishable by their bumpy skin and big, suction-cup-like toe pads.

Found most commonly in trees and shrubs beside permanent bodies of water. Grey tree frogs can be found at the tops of even the tallest trees!

Photo by Hazel Galloway

American Toad Anaxyrus americanus

Toad Colours: brown, olive, reddish Distinguishable by their warty skin and lspots.

These guys can be found just about everywhere, from your front lawn, to your vegetable garden, to a dense forest!

Photo by Gerry Salmon

Bullfrog

Rana catesbeiana

True Frog Colours: green, dark green, greenish-brown Distinguishable by their incredibly large size they are the largest frog in North America!

Found most commonly along well-vegetated shorelines of ponds and small lakes.

Photo by Nancy Martin

Green Frog Rana clamitans

True Frog Colours: green, bronze, brown, blue, even multicoloured!

Distinguishable by their big circular ear drums (tympani) just beside their eyes.

Found most commonly in shallow bodies of water, like streams, brooks, ponds, marshes

Photo by Ryan Hodnett

and swamps.

Sources: www.amnh.org/exhibitions/frogs-a-chorus-of-colors/frog-fun-facts www.ontarioparks.com/parksblog/hibernation-frogs-toads www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frog www.naturewatch.ca/frogwatch/ontario/ www.ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibianatlas/spring-peeper/ www.ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibianatlas/pickerel-frog/ www.ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibianatlas/gray-treefrog/ www.ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibianatlas/american-toad/ www.ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibianatlas/green-frog/ www.naturewatch.ca/frogwatch/bullfrog/