Upland chorus frog facts for kids
The upland chorus frog (Pseudacris feriarum) is a small frog found in the United States. It's a type of chorus frog, known for its loud calls. For a long time, scientists thought it was just a type of Western chorus frog. But now, they know it's its own special species. This means it's different enough to be unique, not just a smaller group (a subspecies) within another kind of frog.
Quick facts for kids Upland chorus frog |
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Pseudacris triseriata feriarum |
Contents
What Does the Upland Chorus Frog Look Like?
Upland chorus frogs are usually brown, grey-brown, or even reddish-brown. They often have darker spots or blotches on their skin. These tiny frogs are quite small. They grow to be about 0.75 to 1.5 inches (1.9 to 3.8 cm) long. That's about the size of your thumb!
Where Do Upland Chorus Frogs Live?
You can find the upland chorus frog in the southern and eastern parts of the United States. Their home range stretches from New Jersey down to the Florida panhandle. To the west, they live as far as eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma.
How Do Upland Chorus Frogs Behave?
Upland chorus frogs are quite shy and hard to spot. They are nocturnal, which means they are active mostly at night. You might only see or hear them right after it rains. They spend almost all their time on land, not in the water.
They like places that are a bit damp and have lots of plants. These areas are usually not too far from a pond or stream. Like most frogs, they are insectivorous. This means they eat insects and other small creatures.
Upland Chorus Frog Reproduction
Upland chorus frogs can breed throughout the year. But they mostly do it when the weather is cooler and rainier, usually from November to March. The female frog lays her eggs in the water. She attaches them to plants in small groups of about 60 eggs. A single female can lay more than 1,000 eggs at one time!
Why Are Upland Chorus Frogs Important?
The upland chorus frog is listed as a protected species in New Jersey. This is mainly because their homes are being destroyed. Their special habitats, like roadside ditches and temporary pools, are being drained. These areas are often removed to make way for new buildings and developments. Because of this, the number of these frogs is going down in several states.
See also
- In Spanish: Pseudacris feriarum para niños
