Description
This is a moderate sized, true frog with prominent dorsolateral
ridges. It may be reddish, tan or dark brown with a dark mask that
ends abruptly behind the tympanum. Some individuals
have a light line down the middle of the back. There is a dark blotch on
the chest near each front leg. The belly is white and there may be some
dark mottling.The toes are not fully webbed. Adults may reach up to 8 cm.
Call
The call is a series of sharp quacks, almost like a duck. The
call of Cope's Gray Treefrog is similar but more
musical and with more trill.
Confusing Species
In eastern Canada there are no other frogs with both a mask
and dorsolateral ridges. In western Canada, Columbia Spotted
Frogs, Oregon Spotted
Frogsand Red-legged Frogs can all have
a dark mask but none have a white underside.
Distribution
The Wood Frog is the most widely distributed amphibian in Canada
and is found in every province and territory. It is also found in the eastern
and north-central United States.
Habitat
Although found in tundra to the north and occasionally in grasslands
in the west, the Wood Frog is most commonly associated with moist woodlands
and vernal woodland pools.
Reproduction
Wood Frogs are the earliest breeders in most of their range,
often beginning to call when their is still ice on the ponds in spring.
The egg mass of up to 2,000 eggs is attached to submerged vegetation. Most
of the egg masses in a population will be laid within a few days and clustered
together so their combined dark colouration warms them and speeds hatching.
The tadpoles transform after 44-85 days.
Natural history
Wood Frogs are freeze tolerant and hibernate under logs or leaf
litter on the forest floor. Wood Frogs can change colour rapidly from very
dark to very light. They will darken when cold in order to absorb more
heat.
Conservation Concerns
Wood Frogs are very widespread and abundant.
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