Herp Update: Jun 28 – Late Calling Frogs
Late Calling Frogs
Herpers,
although Wood Frogs and Northern Leopard Frogs finished calling weeks ago, some relatively common species such as Gray Treefrogs, American Bullfrogs, and Green Frogs are still calling. However, in addition to the more common species, I should also mention a couple rarities that are calling at this time of year.
The first one is Fowler’s Toad. Fowler’s Toads are only known in Vermont from near the Connecticut River in the extreme southeastern corner of Vermont. They seem to prefer disturbed soils along our river banks. Their call is a unique, unmusical, bleating. You can hear it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J26p4Xts1Lo
Mink Frog is the other rarity that is still calling. They are a northern species that extends down into northeastern Vermont. They are the species recently found in Monkton. Monkton is further south and west than we expected to find them. The Mink Frog makes a tapping sound like someone hammering in the distance. You can hear it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J26p4Xts1Lo
Both species’ calls are very distinctive. If you think you may be hearing either species, please do take a short video to capture the calls and send it our way.
Romance and other relationships
Leah F sent the photo below of a male (ear drum much larger than the eye) Green Frog amplexing a female (ear drum just barely larger than the eye) American Bullfrog in Salisbury. We have seen this sort of cross species romance before with many other amphibians. In almost all cases, the female will put an end to the relationship. Leah’s photo allows you to see the differences in facial shape of these two species. Leah says:
“The complaining calls of the Bullfrog attracted several of the other large male Green Frogs in our little pond to try their luck and eventually the Bullfrog was able to make its escape. There are a couple of large female Green frogs around but they are generally out hunting – or avoiding the males!”
Paul H sent his observation of a different sort of cross species relationship he observed in Rockingham. Paul writes:
“Sometimes the painted turtles will clean /groom a snapper. Sometimes even climb onto it.
He found this quote online
Painted Turtles…were observed removing … algae and leeches … from Snapping Turtles … in a pond in central Ontario. We propose … that the Painted Turtles derive a nutritional benefit from the leeches and algae and the Snapping Turtles benefit by having parasites removed.
Jim
Male Green Frog amplexing a female American Bullfrog in Salisbury, Vermont. Photo by Leah Farrell and used with permission.
