Wood Frog
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Rana
Species: R. sylvatica
General Characteristics: The Wood Frog is a common frog found near water, or far from water, in the woods. It grows to about three inches long. Its color ranges from pinkish-brown to tan to dark brown. The Wood Frog is easily recognized by it’s "robber mask." This black band stretches past both eyes to the eardrums. Wood Frogs also have dorsolateral ridges, two raised lines running down their back. This frog has a white belly. Because Wood Frogs spend a lot of time on land, the toes on their front legs are not fully webbed. You can tell males from females by their swollen thumbs. Wood Frogs are one of the first frogs to breed in early Spring. Their calls, which sound like a "quack," can be heard around water that's near woods. After breeding, these frogs leave the water to go off into the woods. They will return the following spring.
Special Adaptations: Wood Frogs all mate in the same area, so all the eggs are next to each other making a large "egg matt" on the surface of the water. This matt will grow algae on it, and soon be disguised as pond slime.
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