| PET CLASSIFIED'S |
| AMPHIBIANS IN YOUR BACKYARD |
ATTRACTING AMPHIBIANS TO YOUR BACKYARD FROGS, TOADS AND SOME SALAMANDERS CAN BE EASILY ATTRACTED TO BACKYARD HABITATS BY CREATING OR IMPROVING ADEQUATE AQUATIC HABITATS, PROVIDED THESE AQUATIC HABITATS HAVE SOME FORESTED AREAS NEARBY. PONDS MADE BY DIGGING SHALLOW HOLES AND LINING WITH WATERPROOF PLASTIC ARE THE EASIEST WAY TO PROVIDE AMPHIBIANS WITH THE AQUATIC HABITATS THEY NEED FOR BREEDING AND STAYING MOIST. FEW FROG SPECIES SUCH AS BULLFROGS, GREEN FROGS AND FOWLER'S TOADS ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE WELL WITH FISH PRESENT IN SHALLOW PONDS. MOST AMPHIBIAN SPECIES INCLUDING CHORUS FROGS, TREE FROGS AND MOST SALAMANDERS ARE UNABLE TO COMPETE WELL WITH FISH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW MOSQUITO FISH. THEREFORE, TO ATTRACT A DIVERSITY OF AMPHIBIANS IT IS BEST TO LEAVE THESE PONDS FISHLESS. VEGETATION IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION WHEN MAKING OR IMPROVING AN AQUATIC HABITAT FOR AMPHIBIANS. AQUATIC PLANTS LIKE WATER LILIES, SAGITTARIA SP.. BLATTERWORTS, SEDGES, RUSHES AND OTHERS ARE IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE STRUCTURES FOR EGG ATTACHMENT AS WELL AS COVER FOR LARVA LIKE TADPOLES. YOU MAY WISH TO LEAVE SOME "OPEN " WATER SO YOU CAN OBSERVE AN ENJOY YOUR AMPHIBIANS, BUT SOME VEGETATIVE COVER IS NECESSARY ELSEWHERE. IN ADDITION TO AQUATIC PLANTS, SHRUBS AND OTHER TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION IS NEEDED TO ADJACENT TO SOME OR ALL OF THE POND TO PROVIDE COVER AND CALLING STRUCTURES FOR TREEFROGS. IF THERE WAS WOODED AREAS ADJACENT TO OR NEAR THE POND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEAVE LOGS, LEAF LITTER, ROCKS AND OTHER COVER TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR AMPHIBIANS WHILE THEY ARE AWAY FROM THE POND. MANY AMPHIBIANS SPEND MORE OF THEIR TIME ON LAND THAN WATER. SOME AMPHIBIANS ONLY USE AQUATIC HABITATS FOR BRIEF BREEDING EPISODES. BECAUSE THE SKIN OF AMPHIBIANS IS VERY POROUS AND ABSORBENT, PESTICIDES SHOULD BE USED CONSERVATIVELY AND PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE POND THROUGH RUNOFF. OTHER THAN TADPOLES, THAT EAT ALGAE AND DECAYING VEGETATION, ALL AMPHIBIANS EAT INSECTS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES. ELIMINATING AMPHIBIANS PREY COULD REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THEM INDIRECTLY. SUCCESSFUL ATTRACTION OF A DIVERSITY OF AMPHIBIANS TO YOUR BACKYARD WILL HELP CONTROL INSECT POPULATIONS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR EXCESSIVE PESTICIDES. GEORGIA BACKYARD HABITAT AMPHIBIANS ATTACHED TO VEGETATION. HABITAT -- COMMON IN A VARIETY OF HABITATS FROM MOWED GRASSY YARDS TO HEAVILY FORESTED MOUNTAINS; WHEREVER THERE ARE ABUNDANT INSECTS AND MOISTURE. VOICE-- PLAINTIVE, DESCENDING, 1- TO 3 SECOND "WRAAAAAH". BREEDING-- MARCH TO AUGUST. EGG STRINGS ARE ATTACHED TO VEGETATION IN SHALLOW WATER. HABITAT-- SANDY AREAS NEAR MARSHES, IRRIGATION DITCHES, BACKYARDS, AND TEMPORARY RAIN POOLS. DISCUSSION-- THIS IS A COMMON TOAD IN THE EAST, ACTIVE NIGHT AND DAY FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER. IT WAS FORMERLY CONSIDERED A SUBSPECIES OF WOOD-HOUSE'S TOAD. OR NEAR THE WATER. BREEDING-- MARCH TO OCTOBER, TYPICALLY IN TEMPORARY POOLS AND FLOODED MEADOWS. HABITAT-- WIDELY DISTRIBUTED. ABUNDANT IN OPEN SCRUB OAK WHERE THE SOIL IS SANDY AND EASILY BURROWED. DISCUSSION-- NOCTURNAL. SPENDS THE DAY INSIDE ITS BURROW. IT IS OFTEN FOUND IN SUBURBAN AREAS, NEAR HOUSES AND MOWED LAWNS, WHERE IT FEEDS ON INSECTS DRAWN TO NIGHT- LIGHTS. VOICE- A RAPID CRICKET-LIKE CLICK OF 1 OR 2 SYLLABLES. CALLS WHILE SITTING ON THE GROUND, USUALLY NEAR EDGE OF WATER. BREEDING-- THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; INFREQUENT DURING WINTER. HABITAT-- MARGINS OF SWAMPS , MARSHES, LAKES, STREAMS, AND ROADSIDE DITCHES. IT IS ACTIVE THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND A STRONG JUMPER. A QUICK WALK ALONG THE WATERS EDGE WILL USUALLY FLUSH CRICKET FROGS FROM COBER. MOST WILL STOP JUMPING AFTER A SERIES OF ERRATIC LEAPS. |
2-4 3/8" (5.1-11.1CM). BROWN TO BRICK- RED TO OLIVE,
WITH PATTERNS IN LIGHTER COLORS. SPOTS OF
BROWNISH, WARTS BROWN TO ORANGE- RED . ELONGATE
GLANDS BEHIND EACH EYE, NOT TOUCHING PROMINENT
CRANIAL CRESTS. BELLY USUALLY SPOTTED. MALE HAS
DARK THROAT.
VOICE-- A PLEASANT MUSICAL TRILL LASTING UP TO 30
SECONDS.
BREEDING-- MARCH TO JULY. EGG STRINGS ARE
WITH PATTERNS IN LIGHTER COLORS. SPOTS OF
BROWNISH, WARTS BROWN TO ORANGE- RED . ELONGATE
GLANDS BEHIND EACH EYE, NOT TOUCHING PROMINENT
CRANIAL CRESTS. BELLY USUALLY SPOTTED. MALE HAS
DARK THROAT.
VOICE-- A PLEASANT MUSICAL TRILL LASTING UP TO 30
SECONDS.
BREEDING-- MARCH TO JULY. EGG STRINGS ARE
| AMERICAN TOAD |
| FOWLER'S TOAD |
2 1/2 - 3 3/4" (6-9.5CM). MID-SIZE, USUALLY GRAY- BROWN
TOAD WITH LIGHT STRIPE DOWN MIDDLE OF BACK. LARGE
BROWN BLOTCHES ON BACK, EACH WITH 3 OR MORE
RUSTY WARTS. CHEST UNSPOTTED. PROMINENT CRANIAL
CRESTS CONTACT ELONGATE PAROTOIDS. YELLOW,
TOAD WITH LIGHT STRIPE DOWN MIDDLE OF BACK. LARGE
BROWN BLOTCHES ON BACK, EACH WITH 3 OR MORE
RUSTY WARTS. CHEST UNSPOTTED. PROMINENT CRANIAL
CRESTS CONTACT ELONGATE PAROTOIDS. YELLOW,
| SOUTHERN TOAD |
1 5/8 - 4 1/2" (4.1-11.3 CM ). A LARGE PLUMP TOAD WITH HIGH,
CONSPICUOUSLY KNOBBY CRANIAL CREST AND
PROMINENT PAROTOIDS. BROWN, REDDISH, OR BLACK;
SOME DARK SPOTTING MAY SURROUND WARTS.
OCCASIONAL LIGHT STRIPE DOWN MIDDLE OF BACK, MALE
HAS DARK THROAT.
VOICE-- A HIGH- PITCHED , MUSICAL TRILL. PIERCING AT
CLOSE RANGE. MALES CALL WHEN IN
CONSPICUOUSLY KNOBBY CRANIAL CREST AND
PROMINENT PAROTOIDS. BROWN, REDDISH, OR BLACK;
SOME DARK SPOTTING MAY SURROUND WARTS.
OCCASIONAL LIGHT STRIPE DOWN MIDDLE OF BACK, MALE
HAS DARK THROAT.
VOICE-- A HIGH- PITCHED , MUSICAL TRILL. PIERCING AT
CLOSE RANGE. MALES CALL WHEN IN
| SOUTHERN CRICKET FROG |
Description 3/4-1 1/4" (1.9-3.2 cm). Rough warty skin; light tan
or gray, with 3 longitudinal rows of black spots, which may be
fused into stripes. Black stripe runs through eye. Small round
toe tips.
or gray, with 3 longitudinal rows of black spots, which may be
fused into stripes. Black stripe runs through eye. Small round
toe tips.
Voice A rasping trill. Males call from floating
vegetation or grassy tussocks.
Breeding All year when rains are heavy in southern
areas. November to April in northern areas.
Habitat Wet or moist grassy meadows, ponds, and sinkholes;
among damp leaf litter in woodlands.
vegetation or grassy tussocks.
Breeding All year when rains are heavy in southern
areas. November to April in northern areas.
Habitat Wet or moist grassy meadows, ponds, and sinkholes;
among damp leaf litter in woodlands.
| AMERICAN BULLFROG |
| SPRING PEEPER |
Description 3/4-1 3/8" (1.9-3.5cm). Tan to brown to gray, with
characteristic dark X on back. Large toe pads.
Subspecies Northern (P. c. crucifer), unmarked belly;
throughout species' range except s. Georgia and Florida.
Southern (P. c. bartramiana), spotted belly; se. Georgia and
adjacent n. Florida.
characteristic dark X on back. Large toe pads.
Subspecies Northern (P. c. crucifer), unmarked belly;
throughout species' range except s. Georgia and Florida.
Southern (P. c. bartramiana), spotted belly; se. Georgia and
adjacent n. Florida.
Voice A high-pitched ascending whistle, sometimes with a short trill. Chorus sounds like the
jingle of bells. Males call from shrubs and trees standing in or overhanging water.
Breeding In southern areas, November to March; in northern areas, March to June, with the
start of warm rains.
Habitat Wooded areas in or near permanent or temporarily flooded ponds and swamps.
jingle of bells. Males call from shrubs and trees standing in or overhanging water.
Breeding In southern areas, November to March; in northern areas, March to June, with the
start of warm rains.
Habitat Wooded areas in or near permanent or temporarily flooded ponds and swamps.
| WOOD FROG |
Description 3 1/2-8" (9-20.3 cm). The largest frog in North
America. Green to yellow above with random mottling of darker
gray. Large external eardrum; hind feet fully webbed except for
last joint of longest toe. No dorsolateral ridges. Belly cream to
white, may be mottled with gray.
Voice Deep-pitched jug o'rum call can be heard for more than a
quarter mile on quiet mornings.
America. Green to yellow above with random mottling of darker
gray. Large external eardrum; hind feet fully webbed except for
last joint of longest toe. No dorsolateral ridges. Belly cream to
white, may be mottled with gray.
Voice Deep-pitched jug o'rum call can be heard for more than a
quarter mile on quiet mornings.
Breeding Northern areas, May to July; southern, February to
October.
October.
Egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation. Tadpoles are large, 4-6 3/4" (10.2-17.2 cm),
olive-green, and may take almost 2 years to transform.
Habitat Aquatic. Prefers ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams large enough to avoid crowding
and with sufficient vegetation to provide easy cover.
olive-green, and may take almost 2 years to transform.
Habitat Aquatic. Prefers ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams large enough to avoid crowding
and with sufficient vegetation to provide easy cover.
Description 2 1/8-4 1/4" (5.4-10.8 cm). Green, bronze or brown
frog; large external eardrum and prominent dorsolateral ridges
that do not reach groin. Typically green on upper lip. Belly white
with darker pattern of lines or spots. Male has yellow throat and
swollen thumbs.
Voice Like the twang of a loose banjo string, usually given as a
single note, but sometimes repeated rapidly several times.
frog; large external eardrum and prominent dorsolateral ridges
that do not reach groin. Typically green on upper lip. Belly white
with darker pattern of lines or spots. Male has yellow throat and
swollen thumbs.
Voice Like the twang of a loose banjo string, usually given as a
single note, but sometimes repeated rapidly several times.
| GREEN FROG |
Breeding March to August. Eggs are usually laid in 3-4 small
clutches attached to submerged vegetation
clutches attached to submerged vegetation
Habitat Lives close to shallow water, springs, swamps, brooks, and edges of ponds and lakes.
May be found among rotting debris of fallen trees.
May be found among rotting debris of fallen trees.
Description 1 3/8-3 1/4" (3.5-8.3 cm). Pink, tan, or dark brown,
with prominent dark mask ending abruptly behind eardrum.
Light stripe on upper jaw; sometimes light line down middle of
back. Dorsolateral ridges prominent. Dark blotch on chest near
base of each front leg. Belly white, may have dark mottling.
Toes not fully webbed; male has swollen thumbs.
Voice A series of short raspy quacks.
Breeding Early spring, before ice has completely melted from
water.
with prominent dark mask ending abruptly behind eardrum.
Light stripe on upper jaw; sometimes light line down middle of
back. Dorsolateral ridges prominent. Dark blotch on chest near
base of each front leg. Belly white, may have dark mottling.
Toes not fully webbed; male has swollen thumbs.
Voice A series of short raspy quacks.
Breeding Early spring, before ice has completely melted from
water.
Egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation
Habitat Moist woodlands in eastern areas; open grasslands in western; tundra in the far north.
Habitat Moist woodlands in eastern areas; open grasslands in western; tundra in the far north.
Voice A rasping trill. Males call from floating
vegetation or grassy tussocks.
Breeding All year when rains are heavy in southern
areas. November to April in northern areas.
Habitat Wet or moist grassy meadows, ponds, and sinkholes;
among damp leaf litter in woodlands.
vegetation or grassy tussocks.
Breeding All year when rains are heavy in southern
areas. November to April in northern areas.
Habitat Wet or moist grassy meadows, ponds, and sinkholes;
among damp leaf litter in woodlands.
