Local Frog and Toad Species
The Spring Peeper (Hyla Crucifer)
The Spring Peeper is a very common tree frog
found in the Northeast that makes a high, shrill whistling sound. Only males
make the sounds that give this frog its name. Tree frogs live in most parts of the world. Most of
their lives are spent in shrubs. Typical of most frog species, the female is
larger than the male. The Spring Peeper is small in size,
approximately 1 inch in length, and has a thin stomach and long legs. They are
smaller than bull and green frogs. An interesting feature of tree frogs are the
wide adhesive toe pads on their feet that help them climb up
branches. The Peeper has four toes on the front leg and five on the back. Its diet mainly consists of small spiders and insects. Peeper eggs
metamorphose in about 3 months into mature frogs.
The Bullfrog (Rana Catesbeiana)
Bullfrogs are the largest
frog in North America, measuring up to 8 inches in length.
Their voice is deep pitched and can be heard at a distance. They are often olive
brown in color, with brown spots over their body and feet. Bullfrogs like water
and can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and swamps. The diet of the
Bullfrog consists of insects, small fish, and other frogs. They are also the
main source of frog legs in the U.S. Bullfrog eggs are laid in mats that
float on the surface of the water. Tadpoles can take up to three years to
mature.
The Green Frog (Rana Clamitans)
A very common species found in much of the
Eastern part of the U.S. It is medium size 
and can grow up to 4 1/4 inches in length and also has a very large ear (tympanum).
Green frogs are generally found close to shallow water and can also be found
near debris that is rotting. The green frog's diet includes, insects, spiders,
tadpoles, etc. Its voice has been compared to the twang of a banjo. The female
lays 3,000 - 5,000 eggs at a time, twice during the breeding season. The eggs
hatch within 3 - 7 days. Green frogs spend the winter at the bottom of the water
body they breed in.
The American Toad (Bufo Americanus)
The
American toad is a large frog, ranging from 2 to 4 inches in length.
Distinguishing features include long paratoid glands and 1 or 2 warts in
each dark spot on its back. Toads can secrete a poisonous substance if
frightened which is toxic to most animals if they swallow it. They are commonly
found in areas that have plenty of insects and moisture. The toad is primarily nocturnal,
coming out at night to hunt slugs and insects and returning to the same shelter
by day. They also migrate to their breeding ponds at night, with males leading.
The record for longevity is thought to be held by a toad that lived for
36 years. Toads can be tamed.