Growing Frogs and Toads
I am often asked questions about the large numbers of frogs, especially at night when so many come out of hiding. More than once the question has been “Why there are so many ?” I am adding a new response to my repertoire. I grow them. Right along with the annual flowers. Sound plausible? Sound silly ? Just Checkout my photographic evidence. Or you might enjoy some real information on a few of the varieties we have.
American Toad Bufo americanus
American toads are 2 – 3.5 inches long. Their coloration varies from shades of gray or brown to brick red. They have some spotting on the chest, and only 1 – 2 warts per dark spot. They are active mostly at night.Voice: A long, high pitched trill lasting 6-30 seconds.
Fowler’s Toad Bufo fowleri
Fowler’s toads are 2-3 inches long. Their coloration varies from shades of gray or brown to brick red. They have 3 or more warts per spot and are active mostly at night.Voice: A nasal “WAAAAAAH” lasting 1 – 4 seconds.
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad Gastrophryne carolinensis
Eastern narrow-mouthed toads are 1 – 1.25 inches long. They are triangular in appearance with a fold of skin just behind the eyes. They may be gray, brown, or reddish in color with dark markings on the back. They are found statewide, usually under rocks and logs or underground in burrows. Voice: Sounds like the bleat of a lamb, lasting 1/4 – 4 seconds.
Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis
Treefrogs are 1.25 – 2 inches long. Their coloration is highly variable but usually gray or green with irregular markings on the back. They are characterized by a white spot under the eye, warty skin, and yellow-orange on the thigh. They are found habitats with small trees or shrubs throughout Tennessee. Voice: A short, fast trill.
Southeastern Chorus Frog
Southeastern chorus frogs are 0.75 – 1.5 inches long. Their coloration varies from pale gray to dark brown. They have a white line on the upper lip, and a dark line extending from the snout through the eye and ending at the groin.They are in moist hardwood forests, or swampy bottom lands. Voice: A series of rapid clicks. But minus a Southern accent
Mountain Chorus Frog Pseudacris brachyphona
These frogs are 1 – 1.25 inches long. They are brown, gray, or olive with a dark triangle between the eyes and have two stripes in the form of reverse parenthesis on the back. They are common in the upland woods of hills and mountains of the Cumberland Plateau, Cumberland Mountains,
Voice: A series of fast, low- pitched clicks, “REEK-raaack.”
Cricket Frog Acris crepitans
Northern cricket frogs are 0.5 – 1.5 inches long. Their coloration varies, but they all have a dark triangle between the eyes, the skin is warty, and there is a dark ragged stripe on the thigh. They are found statewide near shallow water and slow moving streams where cover is abundant. Voice: A series clicks that begin slowly, speed up, and slow down again.
If you like frogs, Ask to see FRED when you stop by the office.
