Southern Chorus Frog - Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa
Finger Across Comb Teeth
Description & Identification:
Small, may reach 1.25" (32mm). The head and back are grayish with rows of dark gray, roundish blotches down the back and across the legs; underside is creamy white; white stripe along upper lip. Skin is granular.
Development:
Eggs are brown and white; over 100 are laid in a loose mass; hatch in about 3 days. Tadpoles are small (0.7", 18mm) and dark colored with gold blotches; belly is coppery gold. Metamorphose in 60 or more days.
Habitat & Behaviors:
Little is known of their habits. Found in both temporary and permanent ponds, ditches, swales, prairies, flatwoods and cypress heads with an abundance of grasses. Prefers to breed in temporary ponds. Occasionally found during wet periods under objects some distance from the breeding ponds after the breeding season.
Similar Species:
Cricket frogs have webbing between their hind toes while chorus frogs do not. Cricket frogs have warty skin while chorus frogs have granular skin. Cricket frogs have dark stripes on rear (inside) of thighs, chorus frogs do not.
Voice Call:
A musical trill resembling someone running a fingernail along the teeth of a comb; all year but most frequently from late November to March. Although a winter breeder, occasionally heard during cool rains throughout the year. Call from the base of clumps of grass and other vegetation near the edge of water.
This frog has been observed at the following locations. Click on the map to view the data.
